Burn Rules

Know the Law Before You Strike That Match in Florida

Get info on types of burning allowed, tips and more:
Florida Forest Service Burn Rules and Setback Information

The Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) provides a reference scale for estimated soil dryness:
Florida Forest Service Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)

The Florida Forest Service uses the Wildland Fire Danger Index (FDI) for estimating the potential for a fire to start and require suppression action on any given day.  It does not consider how quickly any fires that do start will grow, or how difficult they will be to suppress.

View Fire Danger Maps and Fire Danger Reports (FDI) by county

Burn Rules FAQ's

Household Garbage

• It is illegal to burn household garbage. This includes paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint, and aerosol containers.

Yard Waste

• Authorization is not required to burn yard waste as long as you meet the required setbacks and there are no local, city or county ordinances in place that prohibit burning.
• Check with your local, city and county officials to find out if there are any restrictions in your area.

Did You Know?

• Escaped debris burning is one of the leading causes of wildfires in Florida.
• The Florida Forest Service administers Florida’s outdoor burning and forest fire laws.
• Some types of burning require an authorization from the Florida Forest Service while others do not.