Alachua County issued a burn ban on Tuesday after indicators placed the county at risk for wildland fire spread. The ban will last for the next seven days.  

According to the county’s order, the county coordinated with the Florida Forest Service to make the decision. The county referenced the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) and the Fire Danger Indices (FDI) as reasons.  
According to the release, these two indicators are used for:

• Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) – estimates the dryness of the soil and duff layers

• Fire Danger Indices (FDI) – potential for a fire to start and require suppression activities

On Sunday, a brush fire ignited between Newberry and High Springs. Crews from both cities and Alachua County Fire Rescue responded and contained the spread to less than four acres within half an hour. But the response forced a rearrangement of resources throughout western Alachua County. 

The ban still allows barbeque grills and pits that are within three feet in diameter and two feet in height, along with fires that are permitted by the city of Gainesville, Alachua County or the state of Florida.  

But the ban will apply to all unpermitted open burns that directly release into the atmosphere without passing through a stack or chimney. The county said this includes campfires, bonfires, yard debris burn piles, organic matter burn piles or fireworks. 

Because of the ban, Alachua County said these activities now violate county codes. 

“Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be liable for all damages caused by such violation, which damages shall be recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction, as well as the costs associated with suppressing and extinguishing the fire,” the burn order reads. “The liability for the costs of suppression may extend to the person, firm, or corporation causing, directing or permitting the activity, as well as the actual violator.” 

You can read the full burn order here.