Hillsborough Extends Ban On Open Burning

TAMPA, FL — With dry conditions throughout the Tampa Bay area persisting, the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group made the decision on Tuesday to extend its emergency ban on outdoor burning for another week. Under the new order, outdoor burning is off limits until May 18 at least.

The county first enacted its ban on outdoor burning back on April 27 and has extended it twice since. The ban is needed, county officials say, because “warm temperatures and dry conditions have combined to increase the danger of wildfires in our area.”

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The emergency policy group includes three Hillsborough County commissioners, Sheriff David Gee and the mayors of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. The group is tasked with protecting the health, safety and welfare of county residents during declared emergencies.

The county's order declares a local state of emergency while also prohibiting open burning outdoors. The only exception "is burning that has been specifically allowed in writing by the Florida Forest Service," an email from the county said.

Sparklers and fireworks are also banned under the order. Outdoor grilling is allowed, but flames must be contained within a grill or other fireproof container. Grills must be attended at all times and fully extinguished when cooking is completed.

Under law, the county can only enact a ban for seven days at a time. The ban, however, can be extended.

State officials have said this wildfire season is the worst Florida has witnessed in recent years.

As of 7:30 a.m. May 9, the state reported there were 125 active wildfires burning on an estimated 31,424 acres on lands under its jurisdiction. Twenty-seven of those fires were deemed major, spanning 100 acres or more. The major blazes include the Anclote Branch wildfire in Pasco County where 2,275 acres in the Starkey Preserve have burned since the weekend. Four wildfires were also reported on federal lands within Florida, spanning more than 157,000 acres.

For more information on wildfires, county burn bans and fire dangers, visit the state’s website.

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