The burn ban prohibiting open burning and the use of New Year’s fireworks, sparklers and other pyrotechnics unless permitted by the Florida Department of Forestry was lifted Tuesday.
Harry Collins, assistant chief of the Alachua County Department of Public Safety, said that his department tries not to impose the ban often but recent cold weather killed plants and underbrush, making them fuel for fire.
“We just try to keep our community safe by being proactive and trying to contain any possibility of a fire,” he said.
Jeff Lane, Gainesville Fire Rescue district chief, said the dry conditions coupled with the fact that the city has expanded into surrounding forest areas mean fires can get out of hand.
“Particularly if we have multiple fires, it can drain our firefighter resources very quickly,” he said.
Lane said he was able to have a New Year’s celebration even with the ban.
“It didn’t cause a significant problem for us,” he said. “But we’re certainly glad to see the rain.”
