As Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency throughout Florida in connection with brush fires flaring up across the state, Hernando Beach joined a number of other communities Tuesday by considering and voting for an area-wide burn ban.

As more than 100 wildfires burn across the state, precautions at the local level are being made with burn bans. Sand Hill Scout Reservation was already one step ahead.

“We allowed campfires until about three weeks ago when the state came out and told us that this area was under a drought,” said assistant ranger, David Sweeney.

It’s a decision the rangers feeling good about today, the 1,100 acre Hernando Beach fire is only about seven miles from the reservation grounds. In addition, boy scouts there are currently taking part in weekend camping, and when summer hits 400 kids will be there for summer camp.

“The campers will cook their marshmallows or their s'mores on a camp stove rather than the open fire, but their still in the outdoors,” said Sweeney.

Even though the Water Tower Fire that was sparked Sunday in the Weeki Wachee Preserve has been contained, commissioners want to do more to protect residents and property. 

The Keetch-Gyram Drought Index (KBDI), designed to measure forest fire potential, ranges from 0 (very moist) to 800 (very dry). As of today, the current KBDI average drought index for Hernando County is 518.

Officials with Florida's Fire Service said 1,100 burned and while no homes were lost, the situation could have been much worse. 

"We just try to work as a community," said Hernando Beach resident Nancy Emrich of the recent fire scare. "We're pretty close knit when it comes to surviving, getting through, and supporting each other."

Since January, Hernando County Fire Rescue has responded to 34 brush fires, burning nearly 1,200 acres.

Burn bans are put in place to eliminate the chance of unintentional negligence minimizing the potential of an escaping fire. The Hernando County burn ban will be in place through May 23rd. Commissioners will make a decision at that time if it needs to be extended.