Hernando County institutes countywide burn ban amid drought

Hernando County has instituted an emergency temporary prohibition on all outdoor burning effective January 8, 2026, for unincorporated areas and the City of Brooksville under County Code Chapter 12 Article VI. Officials cited a sustained lack of rain and forecasts of below average precipitation that have created conditions highly favorable for brush fires to ignite and spread rapidly.

The county pointed to a Keetch-Byram Drought Index reading of 606 and rising on January 8, 2026, a level described by the Florida Forest Service as producing very high fire danger. The Florida Department of Agriculture is forecasting below average precipitation through the driest months, reinforcing officials' concerns about elevated wildfire risk across the community.

Under the ban, all outdoor burning that is not specifically permitted by the Florida Forest Service is prohibited. Bonfires, campfires, and the burning of vegetation or yard debris are not allowed. The restriction does not apply to cooking on attended and monitored barbecue equipment, provided the device is a contained gas or charcoal grill. Residents should not assume routine brush pile burning or backyard burning is permissible during this period.

Exceptions to the burn ban may be granted, but only after a request is submitted to the Florida Forest Service and an onsite inspection is conducted. An inspection must determine that the proposed burning can be accomplished safely before any permit is issued. The county emphasized basic precautions such as avoiding the discarding of lit cigarettes and other careless actions that can spark fires.

The ban remains in effect until further notice. To report violations, residents should contact the Hernando County Communications Center at 352-754-6830. County contact Nick Brandt is listed with the notice.

For homeowners, landscapers, and anyone who uses fire in outdoor work or recreation, the ban changes what’s allowed and increases the penalties and scrutiny for noncompliance. Contractors planning land clearing, agricultural burns, or debris disposal should pause plans that rely on open burning and consult the Florida Forest Service about permitted alternatives. Recreational activities that involve flames should be shifted to safe, contained cooking equipment or postponed until conditions improve.

Our two cents? Keep your smoker cold, your cigarette butts contained, and your burn plans on hold until authorities lift the ban. If you see illegal burning, report it — a quick call to 352-754-6830 could stop a small spark from turning into a dangerous wildfire.