A mandatory burn ban is in effect in Indian River County until further notice.
On Tuesday, County Administrator John Titkanich signed an Emergency Order declaring a local state of emergency and mandatory burn ban for all areas of the county.
All outdoor burning is prohibited unless specifically permitted by the Florida Forestry Service.
This includes yard trash, household paper products, bonfires, campfires, warming fires, outdoor fireplaces, chimeneas and cooking fires. All are prohibited unless:
1) Authorized by the Florida Forest Service
2) It is for the cooking of food exclusively within gas or charcoal grill
Also, the setting of fires to any grass, brush or forest-covered land, unless authorized by the Florida Forest Service, shall constitute a violation of this order.
Sarasota County is the only other county with a burn ban amid dry local conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.
The Florida Drought Index lists the northern half of Palm Beach County as well as Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and most of Okeechobee counties as moderate.
Arson Awareness Month is in effect from Sunday to Saturday by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.