Orange County issues burn ban

Orange County has issued a burn ban effective Tuesday, June 9, for unincorporated areas, including Oakland, Eatonville, Belle Isle and Edgewood. 

The ban was instituted because the Keetch-Byram Drought Index meets or exceeds 500, which is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers. 

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning unless a permit has been issued. 

The Orange County Fire Rescue reminds residents to clear trash and dead vegetation from front and backyards, remove leaves and debris from roof and gutters, have an emergency kit packed and a plan in place in case evacuation is ordered, create at least 30 feet of defensible space around homes, use caution when grilling, camping and discarding cigarettes, and call 911 if a fire occurs or someone is violating the ban. 

Outdoor burning authorized by the county or state are exempt from this ban. 

The burn ban will lift once the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days.