Cape Coral issues burn ban to limit fire hazard

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Cape Coral issued a temporary burn ban Wednesday to limit fire hazards within the city.

The burn ban is in place to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Cape Coral residents, the Cape Coral Fire Department said. It prohibits recreational burns, including fire pits and campfires, and city permitted burns, which includes bonfires and land clearing control burns.

Fires solely for cooking purposes where the fire, flames, and heat generated are fully contained within the confines of the device being used are still allowed. The burn ban will be in effect until the local drought index is below 600 for seven consecutive days, fire officials said.

Cape Coral firefighters are asking residents to be vigilant in not disposing of lit smoking materials outdoors, including from a car window. The department said residents should also only operate vehicles, including ATVs, on paved, gravel, or dirt surfaces and not on grass or other vegetation.

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