As burn bans remain in place, it’s important to know the guidelines to adhere to based on the county you live in.

TAMPA, Fla. — All Tampa Bay-area counties remain under some sort of burn ban following multiple brush fires across the region over the weekend.

Just on Sunday alone, fire crews in Polk, Hillsborough and Hernando counties battled numerous brush fires, damaging as much as 350 acres of land.

Officials say the recent trend of brush fires is in part due to a severe drought notice, lack of significant rainfall and recent high winds.

The events have led to Governor Ron DeSantis signing an executive order on Feb. 10 declaring a state of emergency.

“Today I signed Executive Order 26-33 in response to last week’s winter weather event and ongoing drought conditions throughout the state,” he posted on social media. “This action helps facilitate emergency harvesting and protects Florida agriculture from further losses with expedited recovery under state authority and prompt assistance to be provided to Florida’s farmers.”


Those who violate burn bans may be punished with a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in county jail, or both.

As burn bans remain in place, it’s important to know the guidelines to adhere to based on the county you live in.


Hillsborough County burn ban

Hillsborough County first enacted its burn ban on Jan. 15, before extending it for the fifth week in a row on Feb. 12.

The order bans all outdoor burning, including fireworks, sparklers and fire pits.

The only exceptions to the burn ban are a constantly attended barbecue grill for outdoor cooking, certain agricultural enterprises in eastern and southern Hillsborough County that can dispose of agricultural plastic through controlled burns , and burning that has been allowed by the Florida Forest Service.


Pinellas County burn ban

While Pinellas County is adhering to the state of emergency, the area already prohibits burning yard debris, construction debris, and household trash.

County officials are urging residents to refrain from open burning until the area receives more rainfall.


Pasco County burn ban

Pasco County announced its burn ban on Jan. 27.

Everyone living in unincorporated areas of Pasco County is prohibited from setting or causing fires, including:

Open burningCampfires/bonfiresBurning yard waste/garbage

Outdoor cooking in grills or smokers that can contain the fire, flame and heat is acceptable.


Polk County burn ban

Polk County’s burn ban has been in place since late November and prohibits activities such as:

CampfiresBonfiresUnpermitted controlled burnsBurning of yard and household trashBurning of organic debrisFireworksNoncommercial burning; “other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, which is not contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit and the total fuel area exceeds 3ft in diameter and 2ft in height.”


Sarasota County burn ban

Sarasota County’s burn ban has been in effect since early October.

All outdoor burning is prohibited unless a permit has been issued and is applicable for the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County and the city of Sarasota.

Exceptions include cooking on barbeque grills or pits that do not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height, or any other valid state or county-authorized burn.


Manatee County burn ban

A burn ban has been in effect for Manatee County since early November, prohibiting all outdoor burning and the use and discharge of fireworks and sparklers in the county.

The following will continue to be allowed: 

Outdoor cookers or grills attended by a responsible adultAny agricultural, silvicultural or land-clearing burn that has been authorized by the Florida Forest Service with sufficient fire-suppression equipment and personnel on siteProperly permitted public fireworks displays with adequate fire-suppression equipment and personnel on siteFlares discharged over the Gulf


Hernando County burn ban

Hernando County issued a burn ban in early January following a lack of rainfall.

All outdoor burning that has not been specifically permitted by the Florida Forest Service is banned, including:

BonfirescampfiresBurning of yard debris

Barbeque grilling is still allowed as long as the equipment is a contained gas or charcoal grill.


Citrus County burn ban

Since mid-November, Citrus County has remained under a burn ban, prohibiting anyone from unlawfully setting or causing fire to:

Forests, grasslands, wild lands, marshes or vegetationAny land in urban or rural areas, including agricultural and silvicultural landsPile burns, yard trash, household garbage, refuse or other debrisCampfires and bonfires

Fireworks, sparklers and flares are also prohibited.

Exceptions to the burn ban are:

Controlled industrial or commercial processes that involve incendiary devices, fire or flame, provided they occur under a permit or in a controlled environment where the risk of wildfire is unlikely.Attended residential outdoor cooking on appropriate equipment designed to safely contain the fire, flame and heat (gas or charcoal grills).Attended outdoor cooking in public or private areas equipped with facilities designed to contain the heat and flames (park grills).Government-permitted activities involving heat, flame, or fire, authorized by local, state or federal agencies.Fire department training exercises that involve open fire or flame, conducted solely for training purposes under controlled conditions.