MONDAY, MAY 12 UPDATE: Hillsborough County on Monday rescinded the burn ban for the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.

"Due to the recent heavy rainfall and projected weather conditions, an outdoor burn no longer poses a risk to the health, safety, and welfare of County
residents," the county said in a news release.

County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an Executive Order today. To read the Executive Order, visit https://hcfl.gov/residents/stay-safe/emergency-orders. County officials will continue to monitor the conditions and update residents as needed.

While the burn ban order has been rescinded, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue reminds residents to always take steps to prevent fires.

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – As the dry season continues across the Bay area, more counties are issuing burn bans.

Hillsborough County issued an emergency burn ban Friday on all outdoor open burning in all areas of the county.  

In a news release, the county said: "Warm temperatures and dry conditions have combined to increase the danger of wildfires in our area. The only exceptions 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 specifically allowed by the Florida Forest Service. "

County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed an Executive Order today, April 25, 2025. Under the executive order:  

• A local state of emergency is declared. 

• All outdoor open burning is prohibited.  

• The order bans fireworks and sparklers. 

• Outdoor grilling is allowed, as long as the flames are contained within a grill, and the fire is constantly attended. 

By law, the order can be in effect for no more than seven days. If conditions persist, the order can be extended.

Hillsborough County's decision comes just days after Manatee County issued its own ban.

"We are deeply concerned about the ongoing hot and dry conditions that have significantly increased the risk of wildfires in our community,” Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse said Tuesday. “We urge all citizens to remain vigilant, adhere to the restrictions, and exercise caution during this period.

Emergency Managers point out that the ban includes items containing any "explosive compound," sparklers, any item or product using or containing any amount of pyrotechnic composition, flares, open burning and campfires because of the increasingly dry conditions in the county.

Manatee County's ban is in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 29.

Citrus, Hernando, Polk and Pasco counties also are under a burn restriction from the Florida Forest Service. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties do not have burn bans but open burning of yard debris is prohibited year-round.

The burn ban prohibits:
• Campfires
• Bonfires
• Unpermitted controlled burns
• Burning yard and household trash
• Burning construction debris
• Burning organic debris
• Igniting fireworks and
• Noncommercial burning of materials other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, in which case they must be contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

“In an abundance of caution and after looking at all the information provided, we have decided it is necessary that we issue a burn ban,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “We are experiencing widespread dry conditions across Polk County that leads to the increased potential for wildfires. So, to minimize the risk and help ensure the safety of all Polk County residents and visitors along with our public safety members, we ask you to be a good neighbor and adhere to the ban while it is in effect.”

Anyone who refuses to comply or violates this burn ban will be in violation of Polk County Ordinance 08-015 and can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days in the county jail or both. 

Smoke/Air Quality

• Smoke and Air Quality (Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index

The burn ban is determined using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). The KBDI is a continuous reference scale, ranging from 0 to 800. It assesses the moisture content from no moisture deficiency (0) to maximum drought conditions (800) of the soil. This helps predict the potential for wildfires.

Utilizing the KBDI, the process of a burn ban begins once more than 50% of the county reaches 500 on the index. Polk County’s current daily reading is 55% over the 500 benchmark with a countywide average of 503.

FIRE DANGER INDEX