Hernando County Issues Emergency Burn Ban Amid Very High Fire Risk

Hernando County declared an emergency burn ban that took effect January 8, 2026, covering all unincorporated areas of the county and the City of Brooksville. County officials said prolonged dry conditions and forecasts of below-average rainfall have driven the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for the county to 606 as of January 8, placing the area in the Florida Forest Service’s "Very High" fire danger tier.

Under the ban, unpermitted outdoor burning is prohibited. The restrictions specifically include bonfires, campfires and the burning of yard vegetation or debris. The county noted that cooking on attended, contained charcoal or gas grills is permitted, but other open-burning activities must stop until the ban is lifted.

Exceptions to the prohibition are tightly controlled. The Florida Forest Service may grant an exception only after a formal request and an on-site inspection determine that a burn can be conducted safely. The county said the burn ban will remain in effect until further notice and urged residents to report violations to the Hernando County Communications Center at 352-754-6830.

The move follows regional drought indicators and state forecasts that heighten the risk of fire spreading rapidly when conditions are dry. For Hernando County residents, the ban changes common practices for managing yard waste and recreational fires. Homeowners planning to clear debris by burning will need to seek alternative disposal methods or request an inspection and exemption from the Florida Forest Service. Public events that might have included bonfires will need to be revised to comply with the emergency order.

Local officials framed the ban as a precaution to protect neighborhoods, infrastructure and emergency resources. Reducing human-caused ignition sources at a time of very high fire danger helps limit the likelihood that a small spark becomes a larger, more destructive wildfire. The county’s advisory and the Florida Forest Service’s drought assessment are intended to give residents and businesses time to adjust routines and to prevent avoidable fires during an already vulnerable period.

The county posted the media release on January 9, 2026. Residents who observe burning in violation of the ban are asked to call the Hernando County Communications Center at 352-754-6830 to report incidents and seek further guidance.