Area remains under burn ban

Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties are still under county-mandated bans against all outdoor burning not authorized by the Florida Division of Forestry.

The Commissioner of Agriculture has lifted the state-wide ban on yard trash burning, but conditions in the Panhandle are still at a critical level. Recent rains have been localized, intense, and of no lasting effect toward improvement of wildfire danger. Conditions will improve with the return of regular rainfall, higher humidity, and onset of gentle summer breezes.

After consultation with Division of Forestry officials from the Blackwater District, the burn ban in Santa Rosa County will continue, despite the lifting of the state ban by the Department of Agriculture. Even with recent rains, the drought index is high and is expected to rise throughout the week with no rain predicted in the weather forecast. The drought index should fall below 400 for the ban to be lifted.

State permitted burns, authorized fireworks displays and fireworks sales which are authorized by state law and outdoor cooking in barbecue grills, smokers, or other outdoor stoves located at private residences are exempt.