HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – Effective today, April 14, 2026, Hernando County officials have issued an emergency burn ban for all unincorporated areas and the City of Brooksville. Local fire officials moved to enact the temporary prohibition under County Code Chapter 12 following a noticeable spike in brush fires across the region.
The decision comes as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures soil moisture depletion, hit a score of 509 yesterday. That number is currently climbing, firmly placing the county in a “high” fire danger category.
With the Florida Department of Agriculture forecasting below-average rainfall during what are typically the driest months of the year, local leaders say the restriction is a necessary precaution to protect homes and businesses.
Under this ban, residents are prohibited from starting any outdoor fires that have not been specifically permitted by the Florida Forest Service. This includes campfires, bonfires, and the burning of yard debris like leaves or branches. There is one common exception: residents can still use gas or charcoal grills for cooking, provided the equipment is contained, attended, and closely monitored.
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Safety officials are also warning the public that it isn’t just intentional fires causing problems. Simple accidents—like tossing a lit cigarette into dry grass, letting trailer chains drag and spark against the pavement, or using hot power tools near brush—can ignite a wildfire that spreads out of control in minutes.
While the ban is strict, the Florida Forest Service may grant rare exceptions if an individual submits a formal request and a representative conducts an on-site inspection to prove the burn can be finished safely.
Otherwise, the ban remains in place indefinitely until weather conditions improve. To report anyone violating the new rules, the county asks that you call the Hernando County Communications Center at 352-754-6830.
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