Fire risks remain high due to abnormal amounts of hurricane-related storm debris still on the ground in some areas of the Bay Area.

Venice Fire Rescue Chief Frank Giddens has issued a citywide recreational burn ban effective immediately due to dry weather conditions that significantly increase wildfire risk. Unless a permit has been issued by the Florida Forest Service,

County officials say the burn ban will automatically lift once the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days.

Under Sarasota County’s burn ban ordinance (Sarasota County Code Section 58-2), burn bans automatically go into effect countywide and prohibit almost all open burning when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500, which it has for this region .