Update: Polk County burn ban will likely take effect next week, thanks to dry conditions

Ledger staff
Updated ·2 min read

Correction: After publication of this article on Thursday, Polk County Fire Rescue public information officer Katelyn Hoverkamp said the ban will take effect no earlier than May 28, after a legal notice publishes in the newspaper.

Because of persistently dry conditions and hot weather, Polk County sent notice on Wednesday of a countywide burn ban, which will likely take effect next week.

The order Wednesday noted that more than 50% of Polk County is averaging over 500 on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index. The index is used to determine drought conditions, and ranges from 0 (no moisture deficit) to 800. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Polk County as a whole was shown near the 500 range on Wednesday.

The order did not specify a date that the burn ban would end. It was dated May 22 and signed by Polk County Fire Chief Hezedean Smith and Polk County Deputy Clerk of Courts Allison Holland. But on Friday, Polk Fire Rescue public information officer Katelyn Hoverkamp said the order, which has to be published in the form of a legal notice in the newspaper, won't take effect until Tuesday at the earliest.

"But, it depends on the weather," Hoverkamp said. If the county gets more rain, she said, the date of the enactment could change.

A graphic posted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Wednesday showed Polk County, as a whole, near the 500 range on on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which indicates a higher than average risk of wildfire.
A graphic posted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Wednesday showed Polk County, as a whole, near the 500 range on on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which indicates a higher than average risk of wildfire.

Polk County ordinances allow the fire chief to declare a burn ban during periods in which the atmospheric conditions increase the risk of brush fires. The order Wednesday said the county has experienced a period of dry conditions, and "there are no signs of abatement of these dangerous fire conditions in the near future."

Should the ban take effect, it would include all areas of unincorporated Polk County and the municipalities of Frostproof, Fort Meade, Bartow, Haines City, Lakeland, Lake Alfred, Dundee, Auburndale and Winter Haven. It will prohibit all open and recreational fires "unless authorized by the Florida Forest Service."

It defines open and recreational fires as campfires, bonfires, unpermitted controlled burns, burning of yard and household trash, burning of construction debris, burning of organic debris, igniting of fireworks and "noncommercial burning of material, other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, that is not contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit and the total fuel area exceeds 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height."

The fire marshal may approve open fires for agricultural purposes for a specific location and time period, the order states. The burn ban would not prohibit burning permitted by the Florida Forest Service or firework displays approved by municipalities.

The order says violation of the burn ban could be punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Dry weather spurs Polk to issue a burn ban, starting next week