wildfire risk

The ban in Sarasota County will be lifted once the index reaches acceptable levels for seven consecutive days.

One Florida grower reported saving about $30,000 over three years by using the FAWN weather stations. Another reported saving $1,000 per year since 2010, and a third said tens of thousands of dollars were saved between 2010 and 2018.

When Hurricane Michael tore through North Florida in 2018 as a Category 5 storm, it left more than 3 million acres of felled trees in its wake.

After wildfires burned hundreds of homes and thousands of acres in Florida about 20 years ago, Sarasota County commissioners determined that prescribed burns were needed to keep communities safe.

Florida officials are warning residents to be vigilant as dry conditions are producing high wildfire risks across the state.The risk is especially high in…