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Highlands Today

Burn Permits Allowed Before Dry Season

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: October 17, 2008

SEBRING - With so much rain soaking Highlands County, and the drought index relatively low at 333, the state is issuing burn permits, according to Tim Elder, Florida Division of Forestry forest area supervisor for Highlands and Glades counties.

"As of now it's low," said Elder, speaking of the Keech-Byram Drought Index on Thursday. "Each day we evaluate the drought index. Today it was at 333. That's about normal for this time of year."

"The Keech-Byram Drought Index was specifically devised in 1968 to assess the risk of fire," according to the National Integrated Drought Information System's Web site.

"The index attempts to measure soil moisture deficiency by accounting for evaporation, transpiration (water from plants), and precipitation. The index ranges from zero, the point of no moisture deficiency, to 800, the maximum drought that is possible."

Elder said the division has not posted any restrictions for open burning, land clearing, range and forest management.

"Everything's nice and green; swamps have a lot of water in them," he said. "It's a good time to do it. There are no red flags."

What's the prognosis for the upcoming season? Elder was coy.

"We could either have a wet year or a dry one," he said. "Climatology isn't leaning one way or the other."

According to forestry, one of the leading causes of wildfires is escaped debris from burning and the division is tasked with administering the state's outdoor burning and forest fire laws.

"We're in better shape going into this fire season than we've had in years past," Elder said.

September and October are usually the months with the lowest drought index, said Elder, "Because we're coming out of the season with heavy lightning and rainfall."

"We may run a couple of fires a month" he said.

But, with cold fronts coming in, it drops the humidity level; the index begins to rise again until the fire season reaches its busiest time in April, May and June.

Some types of burning require an authorization from the Division of Forestry. Agricultural burning, silvicultural (the harvest of timber on the stand and re-establishment of the forest), land-clearing, pile and acreage burning all require a burning permit.

Burning yard waste does not require a permit as long as residents meet the required setbacks or follow local, city or county ordinances, in places that control or prohibit burning.

The setbacks that apply locally are the debris must be at least 25 feet from your home, 50 feet from any paved public road, 25 feet from forested land and 150 feet from any other occupied buildings.

There are no setbacks for food preparation, said Frank Gibbs, senior forest ranger for Highlands County.

Non-permitted burning must be done in a cleared area with a debris pile no larger than eight feet in diameter or inside of a non-combustible container.

It is not legal to burn household garbage, including paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubberized materials, tires, or paint, aerosol or pesticide containers.

To obtain a burn permit contact the district office in Okeechobee, said Gibbs. The number is (863) 462-5163.

For any questions visit the Division of Forestry Web site at www.fl-dof.com .

Inside the city of Sebring, it is recommended to prepare yard debris for curbside pickup or haul it off to the landfill.

Inside the city limits, because of the setbacks, burning yard debris is "pretty much not allowed," said Lt. Mike Altman, with the city of Sebring Fire Rescue.

Because the city does not have an ordinance governing it, it is governed by the National Fire Code.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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