HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The fire risk in Hillsborough County isn’t letting up. For the eighth week in a row, officials have extended a mandatory emergency ban on all outdoor burning. County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed the latest executive order today, March 5, 2026, as the region faces a persistent and dangerous dry spell.
Conditions across Florida have become increasingly volatile since the start of the year. State records show that since January, 1,141 forest and brush fires have scorched over 68,000 acres. With drought levels expected to stay in the “high to very high” range throughout March, local leaders are keeping the local state of emergency in place to protect homes and natural resources.
The rules of the ban remain strict: fire pits, sparklers, and fireworks are all prohibited. There are very few exceptions to the order. Residents are still allowed to use outdoor grills for cooking, but only if the flames are fully contained and someone stays with the grill the entire time.
Some agricultural businesses in the southern and eastern parts of the county are also permitted to burn agricultural plastic on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to stay on track for the next growing season. This specific type of burning is allowed because it does not produce the kind of drifting embers that typically spark wildfires.
Because these emergency orders are legally limited to seven-day periods, the county evaluates the weather and fire risk every week before deciding to renew.
Safety remains the top priority, and fire officials are asking residents to help lower the risk around their own properties.
Simple steps like clearing dead leaves from rain gutters, moving firewood 30 feet away from the house, and properly disposing of cigarette butts can make a massive difference. Additionally, drivers should avoid parking on tall, dry grass, as the heat from a car’s engine can easily start a fire.
READ: Blood On The Tracks: Florida Man Handed Life Sentence For RV Park Massacre
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
