Only exception is cooking fires on outdoor grills
Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier has issued a countywide recreational burn ban effective immediately because of the dry weather conditions and an increased chance of wildfires.
“In accordance with Sarasota County’s open burning ordinance the mandatory burn ban will remain in effect until weather conditions change and the chance of wildfire decreases,” a news release says.
“The only exception to the ban is cooking fires used on outdoor grills,” Regnier said in the release. “Residents are reminded to never leave a grill unattended while cooking and ensure the grill is in a safe location,” he added in the release. “Before disposing of coals, it is important to ensure that the coals are completely cooled.”
“Should a wildfire erupt, nearby residents are urged to follow the directions from authorities, which may include evacuations in localized areas,” the release stresses. “We ask all residents to stay vigilant during these dry conditions.”
