County close to banning campfires

Commissioners are expected to pass an emergency ordinance aimed at minimizing open fires until dry conditions end.

By ALISA ULFERTS

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 15, 2000

Pack away the S'mores and the hotdogs; Pasco County is getting ready to ban campfires.

With 20 percent of the county approaching desert-like conditions, state forestry officials have asked county officials to ban open fires until the drought subsides.

That would include all campfires -- even those in campgrounds with specially designed fire pits -- but would not extend to grills, county Fire Services Assistant Chief Anthony F. Lopinto said.

Commissioners are expected to approve the emergency ordinance, which they are scheduled to consider Tuesday. That would mean residents of unincorporated Pasco County could faces fines up to $500 or spend 60 days in jail if they are caught setting bonfires and campfires, burning trash or yard debris or setting off fireworks.

The proposed ordinance also gives county commissioners the option of prohibiting any event involving cars, motorcycles or other vehicles whose exhaust gases or high-temperature catalytic converters could set off a wildfire.

Individuals who get an open burn permit from the state are exempt from Pasco's ordinance, as long as they follow the safety conditions of the state permit, Lopinto said.

If Pasco approves the emergency ordinance, it will be following in the footsteps of Polk, Citrus and Hernando counties. Pinellas and Hillsborough already ban open fires except those approved by the state.

Since Jan. 1, more than 40,000 acres have burned across the state. And Pasco hasn't been spared, Lopinto said.

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