MANDATORY BURN BAN IN EFFECT FOR PUTNAM COUNTY Immediate Media Release

[emergency management]

MANDATORY BURN BAN IN EFFECT FOR PUTNAM COUNTY

Immediate Media Release

  

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. (March 19, 2009) –

 

Acting on the request of the Division of Forestry Area Supervisor; Mr. Billy Anderson, a mandatory burn ban has been implemented, effective immediately. The Putnam County Sheriffs Office, Putnam County Area Volunteer Fire Departments, The City of Palatka Fire Department and the Putnam County Department of Emergency Services have all been apprised of the ban. The urgency of implementing the burn ban was based on the dangerously high drought index, wind conditions, and this weekend’s weather forecast.

 

Until further notice, the Division of Forestry is restricting all outside burning until the burn ban is lifted. It is imperative that the county receive significant rainfall over an extended period of time in order to decrease wildfire danger. Scattered showers will not decrease the wildfire threat.

 

Questions about the burn ban can be answered at the Division of Forestry office. Call (352) 955-2010 for more information.

 

Division of Forestry Officials and leadership from other Public Safety disciplines meet in Putnam County on a routine basis to discuss wildfire conditions. In this case the Division of Forestry recommended that local authorities implement a mandatory burn ban based on extremely dry conditions and weather forecast.

 

 

 The following safety considerations may be helpful during the ban:

 

 

• Take yard debris to Putnam County’s landfill or recycling centers, a safer alternative to backyard burning. Citizens should call Waste Pro or the Sanitation Department for more information.

 

• Immediately report arson or other suspicious activity to law enforcement.

 

• Use vehicle ashtrays instead of throwing cigarette butts out the window.

 

• Use caution when mowing or working with other equipment that could spark and use caution when fueling any type of yard equipment.

 

• If you spot a fire or large column of smoke, call 9-1-1.

 

 

 

 

Putnam County Emergency Services

Division of Emergency Management

410 S. SR 19 Palatka, Fl. 32177

 

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