THURSDAY: A day after Osceola County fire officials lifted a burn ban for Osceola County, Osceola's Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) went back over 500 in Thursday's report from the Florida Fire Service.
The burn ban covers all types of outside burning, including open fire pits, campfires, and yard debris within the unincorporated areas of Osceola County. The burn ban is effective immediately and will be lifted as weather and vegetation conditions improve. The ban will be enforced by Osceola County Code Enforcement, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services personnel.
All of Osceola's neighboring counties except Brevard are also under burn bans that have stayed in place through the month of May. The chance of rain is elevated going into the Memorial Day weekend, but that make come with thunderstorms, and lightning is capable of starting brush fires.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Following seven consecutive days of favorable changes to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average in Osceola County, the burn ban in effect since May 1 has been lifted in accordance with County ordinance. Residents are advised to continue exercising safe practices when conducting any type of burning, cooking, or discharge of fireworks outdoors.
While Osceola County's overall KBDI value Wednesday was at 491, under the 500 threshold, about 42% of the county is between 501-600 and 9% is over 600, according to the Florida Fire Service.
Good news regarding this is that the driest areas of the county are also the most remote, in the northeast and southwest sections; the populated areas like Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana and Celebration are all under 450. And, rain is likely closer to the weekend; in fact, showers were moving north along the Turnpike toward St. Cloud and Kissimmee Wednesday afternoon.
For more information, visit fire.osceola.org.
