Burn Bans Slam Over 30 Florida Counties From Panhandle to Collier as Drought Tightens Its Grip Statewide
FLORIDA — A sweeping wave of burn bans now covers more than 30 counties across Florida, stretching from the Panhandle all the way down to Collier County in the southwest, as dry and dangerous conditions tied to exceptional drought continue to elevate wildfire risk across large portions of the state.
Burn Bans Stretch From Panhandle to Southwest Florida
The current burn ban footprint cuts across every region of Florida. In the Panhandle, active bans are in place across Holmes, Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Calhoun, Liberty, Bay, and Gulf counties. Moving into North Central Florida, bans cover Baker, Nassau, Duval, Union, Gilchrist, Dixie, Levy, Putnam, and Citrus counties.
Across Central Florida, burn bans are active in Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Seminole, and Orange counties. Further south, Manatee, Sarasota, Highlands, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier counties are all under active restrictions.
Exceptional Drought Fueling Extreme Fire Danger
The breadth of these burn bans reflects the severe and exceptional drought conditions gripping much of Florida. Dry vegetation, low humidity, and the absence of meaningful rainfall have combined to create critically elevated wildfire ignition and spread potential across the affected counties.
| Region | Counties Under Burn Ban |
|---|---|
| Panhandle | Holmes, Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Calhoun, Liberty, Bay, Gulf |
| North Central FL | Baker, Nassau, Duval, Union, Gilchrist, Dixie, Levy, Putnam, Citrus |
| Central FL | Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Seminole, Orange |
| Southwest FL | Manatee, Sarasota, Highlands, Charlotte, Glades, Lee, Hendry, Collier |
Big Bend Region a Notable Gap Despite Drought
Despite the exceptional drought conditions present across the Big Bend region, those counties currently do not have burn bans in place — a notable gap given the surrounding dry conditions and the level of drought intensity reported in that area.
What Burn Bans Mean for Residents
Under an active burn ban, open burning of any kind is prohibited, including yard debris, trash, and agricultural burns. Violations can result in fines and legal liability if a fire spreads. Residents across all affected counties are urged to avoid any activity that could spark an ignition until conditions improve and bans are lifted.
Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for live burn ban and wildfire risk updates across Florida.
