Area received measurable rainfall over weekend
Following seven consecutive days of favorable changes to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average in Osceola County — which included some measurable rainfall over the weekend — the burn ban in effect since February 16 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.
Using 500 as the benchmark figure on the 1-800 drought index (the higher, the drier), Osceola County's composite index lowered to 469 as of Monday — meaning that an extended period without rain could push the figure back above 500 in the short term. The southern end of Osceola County is drier than the northern end. See the expanded drought figures here.
Feb. 16: Despite rain that moved in overnight Sunday, Osceola County is instituting a burn ban for all types of outside burning, including open fire pits, campfires, and yard debris within the unincorporated areas of Osceola County.
This comes a day after crews fought a pair of brush fires in the area Sunday. St. Cloud Fire Rescue instituted its own burn ban Sunday.
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.
Prior to Sunday night's rain, Osceola County's Keetch-Byram Drought Index figure was 492, just off the 500 mark that the county often uses as to when to institute a burn ban. The rain lowered it to 469 Monday, but no rain and warm temperatures reaching the mid-80s by the end of the week are in the weather forecast.
Osceola County Fire Rescue will continue to monitor conditions to determine when the burn ban will be lifted.
