Jacksonville Bans Open Burning Amid Severe Drought

Jacksonville's fire chief banned all open burning in Duval County effective immediately, citing extreme drought conditions and a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service.

Fire Chief Percy Golden II invoked emergency authority under Jacksonville Municipal Code Section 420.202(e) to prohibit bonfires and outdoor fires until further notice. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures vegetation and soil dryness, stands at 594 out of 800—a level at which fuels ignite easily. The region faces its driest conditions since 1872.

"One spark in this environment can become a crisis very quickly," Golden said.

Low humidity and wind compound the fire danger. The Duval County Emergency Operations Center moved to Level 2 partial activation, allowing personnel to coordinate resources and focus on fire response.

Mayor Donna Deegan urged compliance. "Don't burn," she said. "It protects your family, your neighbors, and the firefighters working to keep Jacksonville safe."

Andre Ayoub, chief of the City of Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness Division, said officials coordinated with stakeholders to prepare for worsening conditions. "We're not waiting for a large fire," he said.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will post updates on JaxReady.com and city and department social media channels.