Polk County is hitting pause on backyard flames again, reinstating a countywide burn ban effective Wednesday, May 6, as drought conditions ramp wildfire danger back up. The order covers unincorporated Polk County along with cities from Auburndale and Bartow to Lakeland and Winter Haven, and shuts down most recreational and debris burning. County leaders warn that with dry ground and ember-friendly weather, one small fire can turn into a fast-moving problem.
Why Officials Pulled The Trigger
County officials say the move is tied directly to readings from the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). Polk County issues a burn ban once more than 50 percent of the county climbs above 500 on the scale. As of May 5, roughly 76 percent of Polk County had cleared that mark, with a countywide average of 531, according to Bay News 9. In the county release, Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith warned that “a small spark or stray ember could quickly transform into a large fire.” Officials say the renewed ban is meant to cut down on brush-fire calls and shield homes while soils stay unusually dry.
What The Ban Actually Covers
The order applies to unincorporated Polk County and the municipalities of Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Hillcrest Heights, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lakeland, Mulberry, Polk City and Winter Haven. It bars campfires, bonfires, unpermitted controlled burns, burning of yard or household trash, burning organic debris and igniting fireworks, according to Polk County Government. There are narrow exceptions for religious or ceremonial fires and for tightly contained cooking fires that meet specific size limits. County officials say the restrictions will stay in place until drought indicators ease back to safer territory.
Penalties And A Recent Wake-Up Call
Violating the order can get expensive and even land you in a cell. Violators face penalties under county law, including up to a 500 dollar fine and as much as 60 days in county jail, according to The Ledger. Earlier this year, a backyard burn in Bartow spread to roughly five acres and led to an arrest, a real-world example of how quickly an illegal fire can get away from you, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.
How Residents Can Stay Out Of Trouble
Officials are urging residents to skip any open burning, stick to contained barbecue grills for cooking, clear dry leaves and brush away from homes and sheds, and call 911 for any smoke or unattended flames. Polk County Fire Rescue is sharing updates about the ban on its Facebook page, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the county’s news pages will carry any formal orders or changes.
The reinstatement comes less than three weeks after county leaders formally repealed a previous burn ban on April 17, when conditions briefly improved, according to a county notice from Polk County Government. With drought indicators climbing again, officials say putting the restrictions back in place is the safest call to protect both people and property.
