Bartow, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Polk County has ended the burn ban thanks to all of the recent rainfall. Polk banned outdoor burning back in March when dry conditions led to wildfires.
Polk County Fire-Rescue's Kevin Watler says the repeal means that residents in all of unincorporated Polk and in the municipalities are allowed to burn yard and construction debris. Residents may also have campfires.
Polk County uses the Keetch-Byram Drought Index as an indicator to determine the likelihood and severity of brush fires. As a rule of thumb, fire officials become concerned any time the scale goes above 500 for 50 percent of the county. Less than 50 percent of Polk is now averaging 500 on the KBDI.
Watler says the burn ban can be reinstated if conditions get dry again.