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In Sarasota County, Florida, a burn ban has been reinstated due to heightened fire risks stemming from ongoing drought conditions. County officials announced this decision as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reached the critical threshold of 500, triggering the automatic implementation of the ban according to local ordinance.
This ban was first imposed on October 11, 2025. Although it was temporarily lifted on April 14, officials emphasized the need for continued vigilance given the persistent dry weather affecting much of the region.
Under the current burn ban, all outdoor burning activities are prohibited unless specifically authorized by a permit for unincorporated areas of the county and the City of Sarasota. Residents are urged to adhere to these restrictions to help prevent potential fire outbreaks.
All outdoor burning is now prohibited unless a permit applicable to the unincorporated areas of the County and City of Sarasota has been issued.
The Sarasota County Fire Department asked residents to take the following actions to protect their homes from fire danger:
- Create three zones of defensible space around homes or businesses.
- Clear trash and dead vegetation from the yard.
- Remove leaves and debris from roof, gutters and under decks.
- Have a plan and an emergency preparedness kit packed in case you need to evacuate quickly.
- Monitor local media for updates on road closures, smoke conditions and other hazards.
- Use extreme caution when grilling, camping, and discarding cigarettes.
- Don’t use anything that may create sparks outside on dry, windy days.
- Call 911 if you see a fire nearby.
The burn ban will automatically lift after the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days, officials said.