A drop in the Keetch-Byram Drought Index to below 600 has prompted Lee County and the City of Cape Coral to lift temporary burn bans.

The burn ban prohibiting fires in Lee County, in place since Jan. 20, was allowed to expire due to a recent increase in local rainfall and improving drought conditions. Previously, the ban had been extended on a weekly basis since being enacted.

Lee County residents and visitors are encouraged to continue to use caution during any burning-related activities

The mean average on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Lee County on Tuesday was 463 out of 800. That’s a significant drop from the index value of 637 when Lee County's burn ban was enacted through a State of Local Emergency in January.

For the county to enact a burn ban, certain conditions must be met, including a score of 600 or more on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index. The county also coordinates with the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Florida Forest Service, both of which supported allowing the ban to expire.

The Cape Coral Fire Department issued a rescission notice on Tuesday on the ban it had issued on January 2.

Residents are urged to continue to use caution with recreation and cooking fires.

Recreational fires must comply with city codes keeping 25-feet from any structure and having an extinguishment source. Any such fire must be kept to a maximum of 3-feet in diameter and 2-feet in height.

Recreational fires are not intended for vegetation or rubbish disposal.

More information on burning in the City of Cape Coral can be found at: www.capecoralfire.com/burn-regulations.

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