By Fallan Patterson

Staff Writer

Due to extremely dry conditions throughout Florida and an abundance of wildfires, Gov. Rick Scott declared a State of Emergency Monday.

The executive order states the average Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures the saturation of soil and vegetation conditions, in Florida is 649 (800 represents extremely dry conditions).

As of Monday, all but one county had a drought index higher than 550 with several counties reporting indexes in the 700s, according to the Florida Division of Forestry; Osceola County's index is between 650 and 699.

Piggybacking off the executive order is a fireworks ban in unincorporated Osceola County that was announced this morning. The ban continues until Aug. 13 or until the drought index registers less than 600 in Osceola County.

County officials strongly encourage residents and visitors to enjoy professional, permitted fireworks displays at Celebration, the St. Cloud lakefront or at an area theme park for the July 4 holiday.

Osceola County is one of 23 counties out of 67 in the state currently under burn bans, according to the Florida Division of Forestry.

More than 115,500 acres have burned in 310 active wildfires throughout the state so far this fire season, the executive order states. Eight of those wildfires are burning in Osceola County, according to Osceola County Fire Rescue Chief Richard Collins.

Residents living in areas susceptible to wildfires may visit Osceola County’s community safety website at http://mysafety.osceola.org to learn what steps they can take to protect their homes and property.