Charlotte County commissioners keep burn ban in place ahead of Fourth of July

The Charlotte County Board of Commissioners voted on Thursday to extend the burn ban in place since April, following a special meeting to discuss lifting it.

In a unanimous vote, commissioners agreed that parts of the county are still too dry to risk lifting the burn ban.

Kevin Easton, fire chief for the Englewood Fire Department, spoke during public comment and recommended that the burn ban not be lifted as the West County region has not met the proper conditions to lift it.

With the burn ban in place, Charlotte County residents will not be permitted to set off personal fireworks ahead of 4th of July celebrations.

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, which includes the following:

• Yard waste burning
• Recreational fires and bonfires
• Pile burning for land clearing
• Private use and discharge of fireworks, sparklers, and similar incendiary devices