Outdoor Burn Ban Extended In Hillsborough County

TAMPA, FL — While a cold front expected to move through the Tampa Bay area may bring rain to the region on Thursday and Friday, forecasters at the National Weather Service in Ruskin warn that fire weather conditions could return next week. With that in mind, the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group voted Wednesday to extend a ban on outdoor burning through May 11 at least.

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.

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The outdoor burn ban went into place on April 27 as wildfires raged across the state. 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, officials notes.

As of May 3, the Florida Forest Service reported there were 98 active wildfires burning on lands under its jurisdiction. Twenty-seven of those fires were deemed major, spanning 100 acres or more. All told, the 98 fires covered some 28,711 acres of land. Two wildfires covering 122,383 acres were also burning on federal lands within Florida on Wednesday.

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

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