Monday, May 19, 2008 - St. Lucie County Issues Burn Ban

St. Lucie County officials, in conjunction with the St. Lucie County Fire District and Florida Division of Forestry, have implemented a county-wide burn ban effective immediately.

The burn ban applies to all non-permitted, outside burning and fireworks. Agricultural burning will be permitted on a case-by-case basis as authorized by the State Division of Forestry.

The drought index for St. Lucie County is currently 505.

''Due to the fact that there are thousands of acres of wildfires burning all around us, we are urging residents to use caution and report any outside burning or fireworks,'' said St. Lucie County Administrator Doug Anderson. ''Our fire fighters, along with the Division of Forestry staff, have done an excellent job of keeping St. Lucie County safe.''

''The Fire District will continue to monitor the brush fire risk and respond accordingly,'' added St. Lucie County Fire Chief Ron Parrish. ''We are currently deploying a Task Force respond to all high risk situations.''

The St. Lucie County Fire District Task Force Response includes two brush trucks, one fire engine, one tanker, one battalion chief and a Division of Forestry plow.

As in previous years, the county will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and take additional steps as needed until the drought index is once again satisfactory.