There will be no statewide ban on fireworks this July 4th but with stubborn drought lingering and wildfires still burning, officials are urging caution during celebrations.
About 96% of Santa Rosa County is considered to be in a moderate drought, compared to just 5% of Escambia County. Much of the remainder of Escambia County is considered to be abnormally dry, as defined by the National Integrated Drought Information System.
Still, that is less dry than most of the state, and local officials have not instituted a burn or fireworks ban.
It’s been a question for weeks whether the state would impose its first statewide fireworks ban since 1998, but Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced June 23 that fireworks could proceed as usual except in counties where burn bans may prohibit them or if local governments say otherwise.
“The past six months have been one of the state’s busiest fire seasons in recent memory, and though recent rains have helped rein in drought conditions, the risk of wildfire still exists in Florida and needs to be taken seriously,” Simpson said. “As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding with fun, fireworks, and outdoor cookouts, let us do so responsibly to keep our communities and our first responders safe.”
Since Jan. 1, over 2,440 wildfires have burned more than 176,000 acres across Florida. This year’s wildfire season began with drought conditions at the end of 2025, leading to significant wildfire activity throughout the state.
As of June 18, 88% of the state was parched enough to be labeled as suffering some form of drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Stretches from the Everglades to the Panhandle were considered in extreme to exceptional drought. The next drought report will be released Thursday, June 25.
The counties with burn bans include Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Sarasota, and Seminole.
Some of those have active wildfires burning including Sarasota, Charlotte and Collier. Statewide, 72 wildfires burned on Wednesday, that’s up from 41 the week before.
“The start of our summer rainy season has helped lift most of the state’s county-wide burn bans, but we continue to have wildfire flare-ups around the state,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan in a statement. “We want to urge everyone to be mindful when burning or using fireworks near a wooded area. Always keep a water supply nearby and be prepared to act quickly if a fire starts.”
Miami-Dade County, which does not have a burn ban, was battling three wildfires Wednesday that were burning more than 19,000 acres.
The National Weather Service in Miami extended an air quality alert for another 24 hours on Wednesday, keeping it in effect until 3 p.m. Thursday.
“It’s causing very difficult smoke management challenges for our agency and other agencies,” said Ludie Bond, a Florida Forest Service wildfire mitigation specialist at the Waccasassa Forestry Center in a June17 interview.
Manatee County announced its burn ban on June 23, which bars the use of any explosive compound, sparklers, products using or containing pyrotechnic composition, flares, open burning and campfires.
While the Manatee ban is in effect until further notice, it notes that previously permitted public fireworks displays will continue as scheduled. Flares discharged over the Gulf are also permitted.
Manatee officials also stopped short of putting the kibosh on grilling. Outdoor cookers or grills, as well as devices that run on liquefied petroleum such as camp stoves and fire pits are also allowed.
“It only takes one spark to start a fire under these conditions,” said Manatee Emergency Management Chief Matt Myers. “We encourage everyone to avoid activities that could unintentionally ignite a fire and to follow the burn ban until conditions improve.”
Brevard County lifted its burn ban June 22. Others have been in place for months.
Sarasota County’s ban began April 19 and will remain in effect until a drought index called Keetch-Byram goes below 500 for seven consecutive days. On Wednesday it was between 650 and 699. Under Sarasota’s ban, personal fireworks use is prohibited, but public displays by licensed pyrotechnic contractors is allowed.
“Accordingly, the use of consumer fireworks by private individuals would be considered a violation of the current burn ban,” said Sarasota County Public Information Officer Emily Blaine. “The burn ban was implemented due to local conditions and applies regardless of the State’s determination regarding a statewide restriction.”
Osceola County ordinances list the sales and discharge of fireworks as prohibited activities during burn bans, but allow an exemption for “public fireworks displays done by a licensed contractor” with a county permit. The county restrictions apply only in unincorporated areas of Osceola, with individual cities subject to their own rules.
Joshua Holder, pubic relations specialist for the Osceola County Fire Rescue service, said the county is encouraging residents to attend authorized fireworks displays.
“With the upcoming July 4 festivities, we encourage residents to celebrate safely during the holiday by foregoing fireworks at home,” he said.
In Collier County, the burn ban for unincorporated areas includes all fireworks, not just those for personal at home use, according to Maria Hopkins, in Collier’s communications, government and public affairs department. It also specified no outdoor open burning, or outdoor ignition sources such as sparklers, campfires, bonfires and trash burning.
Kimberly Miller is a journalist for the USA TODAY NETWORK FLORIDA. She covers weather, the environment and critters as the Embracing Florida reporter. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida won’t ban fireworks July 4 over drought conditions
Reporting by Kimberly Miller, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kimberly Miller, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
