POLK COUNTY, Fla — Due to continuing dry conditions, Polk County officials expanded the burn ban enacted on April 15.
The following municipalities will enforce the ban in their city limits:
- Auburndale
- Bartow
- Dundee
- Fort Meade
- Frostproof
- Haines City
- Lakeland
- Winter Haven
County officials say the ban was enacted because their drought scale, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), exceeded the maximum levels. The ban applies to all of Polk County, including unincorporated Polk County.
Polk County said during the burn ban, the following will be prohibited:
- Campfires
- Bonfires
- Unpermitted controlled burns
- Burning yard and household trash
- Burning construction debris
- Burning organic debris
- Igniting fireworks
- Noncommercial burning of materials other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, in which case they must be contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
Residents who do not comply with the ban could be fined up to $500 or imprisoned for up to 60 days.
Polk County officials said they could repeal the ban with conditions deemed safe.
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