Leon County Extends Burn Ban Through May 1 as Drought Worsens
Leon County has extended its temporary countywide burn ban through 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, as Exceptional Drought continues to worsen and fire danger climbs across the state.
"Wildfires are burning across Florida right now, closing roads and threatening homes," said Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban. "Here in Leon County, our first responders have moved quickly to contain fires, and most importantly, our residents have heeded the burn ban. We are grateful for that cooperation and for the hard work of our first responders. Extending the ban is more important now than ever. We will continue to monitor conditions and consult fire experts before lifting it."
Why the ban continues
Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan this week called statewide conditions "as dry as we've been in 25 years" and warned Florida is bracing for another eight to 10 weeks of elevated fire activity with "no rain in the forecast." The traditional peak of Florida's fire season, typically late May when lightning begins, has not yet arrived.
Five indicators drove the fifth extension:
Drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor release places 100% of Leon County in Exceptional Drought (D4), the most severe category on the five-tier scale. Additionally, the Exceptional Drought (D4) extends to all counties surrounding Leon County.
Soil dryness. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Leon County stands at 560, a level the Florida Forest Service associates with increasing wildfire potential.
Fire weather trajectory. The Florida Forest Service rates fire danger at least Moderate across every county in Florida, with conditions trending upward. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch affecting Leon County and surrounding fire weather zones on Monday, April 20, and dry-gusty conditions have extended through the week.
Rainfall outlook. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee forecasts a 30 to 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms across parts of the coming weekend, but totals are not expected to significantly mitigate existing drought conditions. Drought is projected to persist across Florida through April and May before beginning to improve in June, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Regional burn bans. Every Florida county bordering Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Wakulla and Liberty, is operating under its own burn ban. In total, 42 of Florida's 67 counties have enacted burn bans, according to the Florida Forest Service, with the restricted area stretching across the Panhandle, North Florida and deep into Central and Southwest Florida.
Statewide wildfire activity
Florida's 2026 fire year is on track to be the most active in nearly a decade. As of Friday, April 24, Florida Forest Service was tracking more than 1,797 wildfires consuming approximately 103,211 acres statewide, with the majority concentrated in Northeast Florida.
Under these conditions, a single escaped debris fire, discarded cigarette or unattended campfire can ignite a wildfire that spreads rapidly through cured vegetation and strains the firefighting resources of Leon County, the Florida Forest Service and neighboring jurisdictions. That is why the burn ban remains in effect.
What is prohibited
During the burn ban, all open burning in Leon County that is not specifically authorized by the Florida Forest Service remains prohibited, including but not limited to:
Burning of yard debris such as leaves, branches and other vegetative waste
Land-clearing fires, brush piles and similar site-preparation burns
Campfires, bonfires, fire pits and similar recreational or ceremonial fires on public or private property
Burning of household trash, construction debris or other solid waste
Use of burn barrels or similar devices for outdoor burning
What is still allowed
The burn ban does not prohibit:
Use of gas, propane, charcoal or electric grills and smokers for cooking, as long as they are attended and fully extinguished after use
Indoor fireplaces, wood stoves or similar appliances used inside a structure in accordance with applicable codes
Burns conducted or expressly authorized by the Florida Forest Service, including permitted agricultural or land-clearing burns that follow all state laws and permit conditions
Firefighting, emergency or training activities conducted by or under the direction of Leon County, the City of Tallahassee Fire Department or the Florida Forest Service
Enforcement and ongoing review
Violations of the temporary burn ban may be subject to enforcement under applicable County ordinances and state law, including fines and other penalties as provided by law.
Leon County Emergency Management will continue to coordinate with the Florida Forest Service and local fire services to monitor fire danger and drought conditions.
The burn ban may be adjusted or lifted in accordance with technical recommendations from fire experts.
Residents who observe an unattended fire or signs of wildfire should call 9-1-1 immediately. For more information on the burn ban, visit LeonCountyFL.gov/ei or contact Leon County Emergency Management at 850-606-3700.
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