The Multi-Agency Wildland Task Force met today to discuss local wildfire conditions and decided to continue the voluntary burn ban in Marion County that was issued on April 12.

While Marion County received some rainfall over the weekend, the area would need additional rain over an extended period of time to significantly impact current dry conditions.

The drought index is currently 476 in Marion County, with some areas registering as high as 604. On the scale which has a maximum range of 800, 500 is considered to be the wildfire danger zone.

The task force encourages residents to continue to postpone burning until conditions improve, and instead take yard debris to the Baseline Landfill (5601 SE 66th St., Ocala) or one of the county’s other 17 recycling centers.

Addresses and hours of operation for these recycling centers are available at http://www.marioncountyfl.org/SolidWaste/Divisions_Recycling_Collection.aspx.

The group will continue to monitor local fire and weather conditions, and is scheduled to meet again on May 7.