Pasco County is under an Emergency Burn Ban for all areas of the county, effective immediately, and will not expire until conditions improve, according to a news release.
The county is experiencing extremely dry conditions due to a prolonged lack of rainfall, resulting in an increased risk of brush fires.
Everyone living in unincorporated areas of Pasco County are prohibited from setting fires or causing fires, including: open burning, campfires/bonfires and burning yard waste/garbage.
Simple actions such as tossing a lit cigarette into the grass can easily ignite brush fires that can quickly spread out of control — putting people in danger and threatening homes and businesses.
Outdoor cooking in grills or smokers that contain the fire, flame and heat is acceptable. Pasco Fire Rescue encourages residents to make sure the coals in the grill are extinguished when cooking is finished.
Any resident planning to conduct an open burn must comply with all Florida Forest Service permitting requirements, the release says. The permit process ensures any potential risk is appropriately assessed and mitigated. Visit https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Burn-Authorizations for more information.
Pasco County will notify the community when conditions are safe to resume open burning.
To report a Burn Ban violation, call the Pasco County Emergency Communications Center at 727-847-8102.
