The Collier County Board of County Commissioners authorized a burn ban Jan. 16, one that may not be lifted for several months as the daily rains won’t start again until May or June.
“The ban prohibits open burning, which is any outdoor fire or open combustion of material that produces visible emissions, of trash and yard waste, which includes vegetative matter resulting from landscaping and yard maintenance operations,” a Jan. 16 press release from commissioners reads.
The Collier County Emergency Management Department met with the Florida Forest Service, Collier County Fire Chiefs’ Association, and Collier County Sheriff’s Office recently to discuss conditions.
Jointly, the group made the decision to recommend a burn ban to commissioners.
“Yesterday’s countywide rainfall totals had a negligible impact on overall drought conditions,” the press release says. “The short-range forecast for our area calls for an increase in wind and low humidity, and the extended forecast for dry and sunny conditions. These conditions elevate the risk of wildfire ignition and spread.”
Much of Florida is a moderate to severe drought, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.
The burn ban includes all of unincorporated Collier County but exempts activities like agricultural burning.
It’s ok to barbecue, county says
Wildfires can be common during extremely dry years, like this one.
Most of 2025 was marked by drought conditions, and the drought showed back shortly after daily rains stopped this past October.
“The peak of our wildfire season is usually March and April, on the back end of the dry season,” said Chris Fisher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami, the office the covers Collier County. “It could start early this year because of the extreme drought, and when you factor in several more months of the dry season, the wildfire risk will continue to increase the rest of the winter.”
It is ok to cook outside, as long as you follow these guidelines:
“Outdoor grills, stoves, cookers, and smokers may be used in the preparation of food if the cooking fire is controlled and attended to,” the press release says. “All outdoor cooking areas shall be free of burnable materials within an area having a circumference of three feet beyond the nearest edge of the cooking fire.”
Violating the ban could result in a $15,000 fine.
Chad Gillis is an environment reporter and can be reached on Facebook or by emailing cgillis@news-press.com.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Collier County Commissioners adopt burn ban as drought continues
Reporting by Chad Gillis, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
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