Charlotte County keeps burn ban in place ahead of Fourth of July

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) - With the Fourth of July just a week away, Charlotte County leaders extended their burn bans, which prohibit private fireworks and sparklers.

While private fireworks are prohibited, approved community firework shows should go on as planned. WINK News reached out to the City of Punta Gorda to confirm.

The restriction remains in place after county commissioners voted this week to keep the burn ban active, despite recent rainfall in parts of Southwest Florida.

Fire officials say recent brush fires and lingering dry conditions in parts of the county continue to pose a wildfire risk.

On Wednesday, Charlotte County Fire & EMS responded to a brush fire off Oil Well Road. The fire burned approximately 1.5 acres of brush and vegetation. Firefighters worked alongside the Florida Forest Service and Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Air Support to contain the fire. No homes were threatened and no injuries were reported.

The fire is one of several brush fires neighbors say have broken out along Oil Well Road since lightning moved through the area earlier this week.

“It’ll get dark, you’ll have lightning, which is the worst thing, and no rain,” said Joanne, a nearby property owner. “The burn ban should have still been on anyway, because we’re just not getting any significant rainfall.”

Fire Chief Matt McElroy told commissioners the county had been considering lifting the burn ban after drought conditions improved. However, he recommended keeping it in place after firefighters responded to multiple brush fires across the area.

McElroy said firefighters responded to four brush fires in a single day before the county reconsidered lifting the restrictions.

Neighbors who live near the recent fires say conditions remain much drier than many people realize.

“We shouldn’t be able to walk back here right now. The ditch over here should be full. My pond should be full. The swamp across the street should be full. We have nothing,” said homeowner Sheila Palmore.

Palmore said she called 911 after spotting smoke behind her home and was relieved by the quick response from firefighters.

While some parts of Southwest Florida have seen significant rainfall in recent weeks, residents along Oil Well Road say many low-lying areas remain dry and vulnerable to fire.

The county’s burn ban prohibits outdoor open burning, including yard waste burning, recreational fires, bonfires, and the private use and discharge of fireworks and sparklers.

“I’m so thankful they decided to keep the burn ban in,” Palmore said. “If anybody with rain is hearing this, please send rain. We need it so bad.”

Charlotte County fire says they will continue monitoring drought conditions and fire activity as Southwest Florida moves deeper into the summer rainy season.