Due to current dry weather conditions and the lack of significant rainfall predicted in the foreseeable future, both Osceola County and the city of Kissimmee have issued burn bans.

The county burn ban covers the unincorporated areas of the county while the Kissimmee ban covers areas within city limits. The burn ban is issued whenever the Keetch-Byram Drought Index reaches 500 or above.

Residents living in areas susceptible to wildland fires are urged to visit the county’s community safety website at www.mysafety.osceola.org to learn what steps they can take to protect their homes and property.

For more information on the county burn ban, visit www.mysafety.osceola.org or call Niki Whisler at 321-624-2841 or Deputy Chief Daniel McAvoy at 407-624-0289.

The Kissimmee Fire Department is reinstating its burn ban for the next 42 days due to the current dry weather conditions and lack of significant rainfall predicted in the foreseeable future.

The city burn ban is for all types of outside burning, including permitted commercial debris fires, open fire pits and campfires. The ban will be subject to extensions as long as necessary. City residents also are reminded that at no time is the burning of trash, garbage or yard debris allowed.

The burn ban will be lifted as weather and vegetation conditions improve, stated Fire Chief Bob King in a press release, adding that the Kissimmee Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban will be lifted.

For more information on the city burn ban, call 407-518-2585 or visit www.kissim

mee.org.