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211 or (386)253-0563

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734-7190 ext. 20000
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427-5223 ext. 20000
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255-6475 ext. 20000
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Assistance number
1-800-621-3362.

American Red Cross:
(386) 226-1400 (daily)
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May 12, 2008
Carl Laundrie
Flagler County Communications
Website: www.flaglercounty.org

Dry Weather Prompts Fire Ban in Flagler County

Bunnell Fl -- A windy but dry cold front is pushing Flagler County's drought index over the 500 mark and has prompted county fire officials to enact a county wide burn ban.

At noon today Flagler County Commission Chairman Jim O'Connell signed an order enacting an emergency burn ban for the entire county. The ban will be renewed every seven days as needed. It bans open burning, the use of open fire pits and containers; parking vehicles with catalytic converters in high grassy areas and throwing matches or cigarettes from vehicles. The law provides for a warning on the first offense and a $500 fine or 60 days in the County Jail on the second offense.

The ban outlaws campfires, and all outdoor burning but stops short of banning the use of barbecue grills. The ban, provided under state law, declares a local state of emergency and affects all county residents whether they live in a city or in the unincorporated areas of the county.

"It is strictly a precautionary measure," Nate McCollum Flagler County Emergency Services Director said. "The winds have subsided but the county is still very dry and we are on alert for wildfires."

Monday the drought index was at 494 and is expected to top 500 by the end of the day. The drought index is a tool used by the Division of Forestry. It is called the Keetch Bynam scale. It is rated from 0 to 800 with 0 being totally saturated and 800 being desert-like conditions.

The burn ban will be up for ratification by the County Commission at its May 19 regular meeting and if conditions don't improve during the week, it will be continued on that morning for another seven days. County fire officials are requesting residents to be very careful during this period of dry weather.

McCollum said fire services will be responding aggressively to any wildfire reports with two engines and the Flagler County Helicopter, Fire Flight. Residents who spot a wildfire should call 911 immediately.

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