Drought conditions and rampant wildfires have forced 29-Florida counties to ban open fires….And for 22-of those counties….the ban covers fireworks. The Florida Division of Forestry says more than 440-active wildfires were roaring across the state. Heat and lack of rain have contributed to one of the worst years for wildfires in recent history in Florida. Alachua, Marlon, Polk, Volusia, Brevard and Osceola are among the counties where local governments have included fireworks in their burn bans.
Meanwhile, firefighters continue to fight the Santa Fe Swamp Fire despite the recent deaths of two firefighters in the Blue Ribbon Fire. Bradford County Emergency Management Spokesman Michael Heeder says the efforts to contain the Santa Fe Swamp Fire remain strong.The e wildfire is maintained at a little under six-thousand acres with weather conditions helping and hindering. Heeder adds Bradford County is under a burn ban likely until the area receives rainfall