BOWLING GREEN, Fla. — Officials issued a burn ban in Hardee County after a brush fire burned more than 1,700 acres in Bowling Green Thursday morning.
At this time, the brush fire along County Road 664 just west of Highway 17 is under control, Hardee County Fire Rescue said on Facebook. No injuries to citizens or crews were reported and no homes were destroyed.
The county-wide burn ban reportedly includes all areas of unincorporated Hardee County, in addition to Wauchula, Bowling Green and Zolfo Springs, fire officials said.
"A lot of dikes and levees out there, a lot of cattle fences, sugar sand," Patrick Mahoney with Florida Forest Service said. "Environmentally, it was a challenge to fight this fire."
Residents are prohibited from all outdoor burning activities, including:
- Yard trash, vegetation, grass
- Lumber, trees
- Household paper products
- Debris
In addition, firefighters said all bonfires, campfires, warming fires outdoor fireplaces, outdoor pyrotechnic displays and open cooking fires are also prohibited.
Anyone with questions regarding the burn ban can call Fire Rescue at 863-773-4362. To report anyone violating the burn ban, call the Hardee County Sheriff's Office at 863-773-4144.