Manatee County enacts countywide burn ban. Will it affect July 4 fireworks?
Manatee County Emergency Management officials declared a burn ban in effect immediately, just over a week before Fourth of July firework displays.
The burn ban is a result of ongoing dry weather conditions leading to increased risk of wildfires, officials say. With the ban in effect, residents are prohibited from using items with explosive compounds, sparklers and flares, and should not have open fires.
“It only takes one spark to start a fire under these conditions,” Emergency Management Chief Matt Myers said in a press release Tuesday. “We encourage everyone to avoid activities that could unintentionally ignite a fire and to follow the burn ban until conditions improve.”
However, residents are permitted to use outdoor grills, flares discharged over the Gulf and liquefied petroleum gas devices like camp stoves and fire pits. Agricultural burns authorized by the Florida Forest Service are also allowed.
The press release also states that previously-permitted public firework displays are still allowed, meaning the Fourth of July fireworks displays in Manatee County should go on as planned.
The dry weather conditions also have an impact on allowed water usage.
On Tuesday, the Southwest Florida Water Management District extended the Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage through Oct. 1. The restrictions limit residents to once-a-day watering, among other guidelines.
For more information about the burn ban, residents can visit mymanatee.org/burnban.
