LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Lake County on Tuesday issued a burn ban as high drought conditions continue along with extreme wildlife conditions.
The burn ban remains in effect until the Keetch-Byram Drought Index dips below 500 for five consecutive days.
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This ban prohibits burning yard debris, land clearing, recreational fires and unauthorized piles of debris to reduce any threats. You can still use barbecue grills, smokers or small cooking pits with a fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.
While Lake County has been under a moderate drought since mid-February, recently drought conditions have worsened to now a severe level. According to the latest update by the National Drought Mitigation Center, 37.5% of Lake County is under a severe drought and 93.7% under a moderate drought.
Our reporting station in Leesburg has received only 2.42 inches of rainfall so far this year. This places the area in a deficit of more than 4.5 inches below normal for this time of the year.
Florida’s wildfire season usually kicks off between March and May, which is when Florida tends to be at its driest point of the year.
Along with the extra-dry vegetation, this time of the year is also a time when temperatures heat up but humidity levels remain fairly low. And it’s this combination of dry and hot weather that creates the prime environment for sparking wildfires.
Another factor this time of the year is the addition of sporadic lightning strikes that come with minimal rain. These large cloud-to-ground strikes are the most common cause of spring-time wildfires.
With all these elements at play, it’s no wonder that the risk of wildfires increases, prompting residents and fire management agencies to stay extra vigilant and prepared.
While we currently don’t have any active fires, a burn ban is a proactive measure aimed at protecting residents, wildlife and property from the dangers of wildfires.
For more information on the burn ban, click here.
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