HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Citing warm temperatures and exceptionally dry conditions, Hillsborough County today announced the extension of its emergency burn ban for an additional seven days, prohibiting all outdoor open burning throughout the county.
The extension was enacted via an Executive Order signed by County Administrator Bonnie Wise on May 2, 2025. The order declares a local state of emergency and aims to mitigate the increased danger of wildfires in the area.
Under the terms of the extended burn ban:
- All outdoor open burning is strictly prohibited.
- The use of fireworks and sparklers is banned.
- Outdoor grilling is permitted, provided the flames are contained within a barbecue grill and the fire is constantly attended.
READ :Woman Arrested After Leaving Suspicious Suitcase At St. Petersburg Police Headquarters
Limited exceptions to the ban include certain agricultural enterprises in eastern and southern Hillsborough County that require controlled burns for the disposal of agricultural plastic, and burning specifically authorized by the Florida Forest Service.
County officials stated they would continue to monitor conditions closely and reevaluate the necessity of the ban next week. By law, the Executive Order can remain in effect for a maximum of seven days but can be extended if hazardous conditions persist.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to take precautions to prevent fires during this dry period. Safety tips provided by the county include:
- Removing flammable fuels like dead grass, leaves, twigs, and branches from around homes, roofs, rain gutters, decks, and walkways.
- Storing firewood at least 30 feet away from occupied structures.
- Utilizing fire-resistant landscaping, such as native vegetation that retains moisture.
- Ensuring street numbers are clearly visible for emergency responders.
- Knowing the location of the nearest firefighting water source.
- Properly disposing of cigarette butts.
- Picking up light-refracting metal items, like soda cans, that could potentially spark a fire.
- Avoiding parking vehicles over high grass, as hot components could cause ignition.
READ: Red Tide Organism Detected At Background Levels In Southwest Florida
The county also provided clarification regarding the burning of agricultural plastic. This practice, accepted under state statute, is crucial for farming operations to prepare for the next growing season. Weekdays are permitted between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. with a field supervisor constantly on-site. This type of burning is allowed only in open fields away from structures and does not typically create embers that ignite fires elsewhere.
To stay informed about the burn ban and other emergency updates, you can register for HCFL Alerts, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system, at HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert.
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.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
