Jacksonville Lifts Emergency Burn Ban | Fire Danger Drops

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department lifted its emergency burn ban effective immediately, following improved weather conditions and lower wildfire risk across Northeast Florida, Fire Chief Percy Golden II announced today.

The decision ends restrictions under Jacksonville Municipal Code Section 420.202(e). Golden consulted with the National Weather Service, Florida Forest Service, and the city's Emergency Preparedness Division before lifting the ban.

Fire danger across the region dropped to low levels. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures soil moisture, fell below 450. Recent rainfall increased humidity and reduced the potential for large wildfire growth in Duval County, though drought conditions remain.

"Conditions have improved enough in Duval County that lifting the burn ban is the right call," Golden said. "The recent rain has helped, and we expect that trend to continue. We know drought conditions have not disappeared, and JFRD is still paying close attention."

The lifted ban does not change Jacksonville's year-round open burning regulations. Residents must obtain permits for any legal outdoor burning under Jacksonville Municipal Code Section 420.201. Burning without a permit remains prohibited.

JFRD issued the original ban when drought conditions and low humidity created elevated wildfire risk. The agency monitors the KBDI and coordinates with state and federal weather services to assess fire danger.

For updates on fire conditions and weather, residents can follow JaxReady on social media or visit JaxReady.com.