By: Kate Kimmel
Nassau County commissioners voted this morning to implement an emergency, one-week countywide burn ban in response to ongoing drought conditions in Northeast Florida.
The ban took effect immediately following the vote and prohibits all outdoor burning, except for burns authorized by permit through the Florida Forest Service. It does not apply to cooking on attended and properly monitored barbecue equipment.
Pursuant to Florida statute, the burn ban will remain in effect for one week but may be extended by the Board of County Commissioners upon recommendation from the Nassau County fire chief.
A special meeting has been scheduled for April 22 at 11 a.m. to consider extending the ban, if necessary.
Nassau and neighboring counties have been under a Phase II water shortage advisory issued by the St. Johns River Water Management District since March 3.
According to the district, recent precipitation deficits across the region have led to continued declines in groundwater levels and reduced surface water flows.
The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies the entire region as being in extreme drought.
Fire Chief Brady Rigden said the dry conditions prompted the ban.
“No significant rain is forecast for at least two weeks. A dry front is coming that will make conditions even drier, and if winds increase, the potential for a fire to get out of hand is even greater,” Rigden said. “We’re asking people not to burn anything for the next several weeks until we get some significant rainfall.”
At the prompting of Commissioner John Martin, Rigden said the fireworks display at the Shrimp Festival will be exempt from the ban.
Violating the burn ban is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 in fines, up to 60 days in county jail, or both. Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense, and violators may also be held financially liable for the cost of extinguishing a fire.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
