Burn Ban

Highlands County is driest county south of Orlando.

The Charlotte County Commission has reinstated a countywide burn ban effective immediately due to ongoing drought conditions, elevated fire risk, and the potential for extreme fire behavior throughout Charlotte County and Southwest Florida.

A burn ban automatically went into effect for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.

The burn ban issued by Sarasota County Fire Department, which prohibited unpermitted open burns in Sarasota County has been lifted as of April 14. The ban was lifted as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index fell below 500 for seven consecutive days, reducing the wildfire threat in Sarasota County.

Highlands county burn ban extended because of extreme dought

The Charlotte County Commission has voted to rescind the countywide burn ban enacted on Dec. 9, 2025, following recent rainfall that have reduced the risk of wildfire throughout the county.

Effective Friday, January 2, Cape Coral is issuing a temporary burn ban to limit fire hazards within the City.

Residents in counties with burn bans need to remember that the ignition of fireworks is not permitted this New Year’s Eve, as it is usually a violation of the specific county’s ordinance setting the active ban.

A temporary burn ban is in place for the City of Punta Gorda.

A burn ban went into effect Saturday morning for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.Under Sarasota County’s burn ban ordinance (Sarasota County Code Section 58-2), burn bans automatically go into effect countywide and prohibit almost all open burning when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500.