Backyard bonfires are on ice again in Sarasota County. The Sarasota County Fire Department has reinstated a countywide burn ban after drought readings climbed back above the threshold that automatically signals higher wildfire risk. Most open flames are now off the table, including bonfires, campfires and yard debris burns, while small, attended grills and properly permitted burns can continue.
The county’s official site notes the ban took effect April 19 after the Keetch‑Byram Drought Index (KBDI) hit 500, the trigger in county code that automatically activates countywide restrictions, according to the Sarasota County Fire Department. Local coverage reported that the county had briefly lifted an earlier burn ban on April 14 when the index dropped below 500, per WWSB/MySuncoast, before the numbers bounced back up again. The new reinstatement was also noted by WTSP.
What the ban covers
The order bars unpermitted open burning across unincorporated Sarasota County and within the City of Sarasota. That means no bonfires, yard debris piles or casual campfires until conditions improve. There are a few carveouts, reported by WGCU: cooking on barbecue grills or pits is still allowed if the grill or pit is no larger than three feet in diameter and two feet high, and any valid state or county authorized burns can continue under their existing permits.
County officials are also asking residents to pitch in on the fire prevention side. They urge homeowners to clear dry leaves and debris from roofs and gutters, create defensible space around houses by thinning out vegetation, and call 911 immediately if they see smoke or flames.
Where nearby counties stand
Just across county lines, the rules are not identical. Polk County paused its own burn ban earlier this month under an order from the Polk County Fire Chief. That temporary suspension is outlined in the county’s document available here. To the north, Manatee County allowed its burn ban to expire on March 20, according to an emergency notice posted by the county, which you can read here.
State watch reports indicate KBDI values remain elevated along much of the I‑75 corridor, which means local burn restrictions can flip on and off as the numbers move around. For now, Sarasota is back in the no‑burn zone.
How residents should respond
Officials say residents can make a real dent in wildfire risk with some basic yard work and common sense. That includes clearing brush and dead vegetation from around homes, keeping gutters free of leaves, and never leaving a grill unattended. They also point homeowners to the county’s Ready‑Set‑Go wildfire preparedness guidance, detailed by the Sarasota County Fire Department.
If you spot a brush fire, authorities emphasize a simple plan: call 911, stay clear of smoke and flames, and follow any evacuation instructions if they are issued.
