Dry conditions spark burn bans in Seminole County

Osceola and Seminole counties have put burn bans in place because of dry conditions.

In Seminole County, all outdoor burning that has not been permitted by the Florida Forest Service — including bonfires, campfires and yard debris — is prohibited throughout the county. Above-ground charcoal, gas, barrel-style barbecue smokers and electric grills are permitted, but officials urge you to ensure the charcoal is extinguished after you finish cooking your food.

It's necessary to take these precautions because if a wildfire happens, it can impact everyone, officials say.

“In Seminole County, our rural and urban interfaces are very close. So those wildfires can move into neighborhoods and threaten structures very easily,” Alan Harris, emergency manager for Seminole County Office of Emergency Management said.

Burn ban violators can be fined up to $500 or jailed for no more than 60 days.

“There can be fines and things like that especially if a wildfire does make it to a structure, burns a person’s house down or even worse if there’s injuries or death related to that, of course, other charges can occur,” Harris said.