Burn ban issued in Collier County amid increasingly dry conditions

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

The board of county commissioners issued a burn ban on Friday in Collier County.

According to the board, the ban prohibits open burning, which includes any outdoor fire or open combustion of material that produces visible emissions, of trash and yard waste, which includes vegetation from landscaping and yard maintenance operations.

Violations of the ban can be up to $15,000 if it is found to cause irreparable or irreversible damage, the board said. It will remain in effect until further notice.

The decision came after the Collier County Emergency Management Department, Florida Forest Service, Collier County Fire Chiefs’ Association and Collier County Sheriff’s Office after they decided certain environmental conditions were met.

Despite rain Thursday, countywide rainfall totals had little impact on drought conditions, according to the board. The forecast in the short term for Collier County calls for an increase in wind and low humidity, and the extended forecast is expected to be dry and sunny. The conditions elevate risks of wildfires starting and spreading.

The board said the ban includes all of unincorporated Collier County but does not include commercial agricultural burning, lawful controlled industrial or commercial environments that are part of manufacturing or an assembly process and burning regulated by the FFS.

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