PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — County Commissioners unanimously approved a burn ban measure Tuesday morning.
It comes as a request from Charlotte County Fire Chief Jason Fair. Fair wrote to the board expressing his concerns for potential fire danger.
Just last week, a fire broke out at the Emerald Pointe Condominiums destroying 8 units. Because of that, and current drought conditions, Fair is requesting for a county-wide burn ban.
In his letter to the board, Fair wrote how Charlotte County is currently among the three driest counties in the state. He went on to say that with such dry and windy conditions, fires could start with little effort, burn more intensely and spread quickly.
Only one person opposed the Charlotte County ban during the public comment portion of the commission meeting, saying doing so "takes away people's rights."
In response, Commissioner Bill Truex said it was the "first time I've witnessed someone talking negatively about protecting the community."
