Officials say the recent trend of brush fires is in part due to a severe drought notice<\/a>, lack of significant rainfall and recent high winds.<\/p>\n The events have led to Governor Ron DeSantis signing an executive order on Feb. 10 declaring a state of emergency<\/a>.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Those who violate burn bans may be punished with a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in county jail, or both.<\/p>\n As burn bans remain in place, it’s important to know the guidelines to adhere to based on the county you live in.<\/p>\n
Hillsborough County first enacted its burn ban<\/a> on Jan. 15, before extending it for the fifth week in a row on Feb. 12.<\/p>\n The order bans all outdoor burning, including fireworks, sparklers and fire pits.<\/p>\n 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\u202fburns\u202f, and burning that has been allowed by the Florida Forest Service.<\/p>\n
While Pinellas County is adhering to the state of emergency, the area already prohibits burning yard debris<\/a>, construction debris, and household trash.<\/p>\n County officials are urging residents to refrain from open burning until the area receives more rainfall.<\/p>\n
Pasco County announced its burn ban<\/a> on Jan. 27.<\/p>\n Everyone living in unincorporated areas of Pasco County is prohibited from setting or causing fires, including:<\/p>\n Open burningCampfires\/bonfiresBurning yard waste\/garbage <\/p>\n Outdoor cooking in grills or smokers that can contain the fire, flame and heat is acceptable.<\/p>\n
Polk County’s burn ban<\/a> has been in place since late November and prohibits activities such as:<\/p>\n 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.” <\/p>\n
Sarasota County’s burn ban<\/a> has been in effect since early October.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n
A burn ban<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The following will continue to be allowed:\u00a0<\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n
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\nHillsborough County burn ban <\/p>\n
\nPinellas County burn ban <\/p>\n
\nPasco County burn ban <\/p>\n
\nPolk County burn ban <\/p>\n
\nSarasota County burn ban <\/p>\n
\nManatee County burn ban <\/p>\n
\nHernando County burn ban <\/p>\n