Board of Commissioners Life Burn Ban Effective Immediately

By: Shelia Mader

Jackson County commissioners voted Tuesday morning to lift the countywide burn ban after recent rainfall improved conditions across the area.

The discussion came during the Board of County Commissioners meeting when County Administrator Jim Dean said he and commissioners had received questions from residents about the status of the ban.

Commission Chairman Jamey Westbrook joked about the number of calls he had received regarding the issue, referencing wildfire concerns across parts of the Southeast.

Florida Forest Service representative Don Showalter told commissioners that Jackson County and surrounding areas had received “quite a bit of beneficial rainfall,” and he supported ending the restriction.

“It looks like we are getting a little pattern, so I don’t see any issue with it,” Showalter said.

Commissioners also asked whether neighboring counties had already lifted their bans. Showalter said Gulf County was the only nearby county that had not yet done so but expected that to change soon after additional rainfall there.

Commissioner Donnie Branch made the motion to lift the burn ban, which was approved unanimously by the board.

With the vote, outdoor burning restrictions previously put in place by the county have been removed effective immediately.