{"id":8000,"date":"2017-04-13T20:01:30","date_gmt":"2017-04-13T20:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?post_type=press-release&p=8000"},"modified":"2017-04-14T17:09:59","modified_gmt":"2017-04-14T17:09:59","slug":"orange-county-declares-state-local-emergency","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/media-advisories\/press-releases\/2017\/04\/orange-county-declares-state-local-emergency\/","title":{"rendered":"ORANGE COUNTY DECLARES STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs Issues Countywide Burn Ban to Help Prevent Fires<\/span><\/h2>\n

ORLANDO, Fla.<\/b><\/strong> \u2013 April 13, 2017 \u2013 Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, in her capacity as Director of Emergency Management, which includes unincorporated and incorporated areas of Orange County, issued today a local state of emergency to protect citizens, visitors and properties from extreme fire conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Mayor, my top priority is the health, safety and welfare of our citizens,\u201d said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. \u201cIt is urgent that we receive full cooperation with Orange County\u2019s just announced burn ban. As a region, we are deeply aware of the threats posed by the weather, and our extremely dry conditions. Through the issuance of Executive Order 17-01, which includes the formal burn ban declaration, I am authorizing the full use of Orange County\u2019s public safety resources to implement and maintain this ban.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the State of Local Emergency, all outdoor burning is banned within the unincorporated and incorporated territory of Orange County, unless a written permit is first obtained. Officials are asking citizens to cooperate and comply with all necessary emergency measures.<\/span><\/p>\n

The order follows a period without extensive rain, which has resulted in a severe drought and extremely unsafe fire conditions. The conditions constitute a clear and imminent threat to the lives and property of the people of Orange County.<\/span><\/p>\n

The current dry conditions create a situation that allows wildfires to start easily and spread quickly.\u00a0 Dry vegetation and ground cover ignite readily from discarded cigarettes, campfires, lightning and other sources.\u00a0 Once started, wildfires will grow rapidly and spread quickly due to high winds and dry conditions. Shifting wind conditions can cause wildfires to change paths without notice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOrange County Fire Rescue recognizes the extreme danger of current conditions and stands ready to rapidly respond to wildfires,\u201d said Orange County Fire Chief Otto Drozd III. \u201cThe department has deployed additional firefighters on brush and woods trucks, which are off-road vehicles capable of responding to wildland fires. Contingency plans are in place to staff additional units as weather conditions dictate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Firefighters are on alert for unauthorized open burning and other conditions that present a risk to public safety. Orange County Fire Rescue will work cooperatively with its partners at the Florida Forest Service and law enforcement to reduce fire dangers and ensure compliance<\/span><\/p>\n

Orange County Fire Rescue has responded to numerous wildfires this month, with firefighters reporting aggressive, fast-moving fires as a result of current conditions. The department reminds citizens to take the following actions to protect their families and homes from fire danger:<\/span><\/p>\n