- December 15, 2025
Flagler County’s emergency burn ban has been lifted.
Put in place April 16, the ban was reinstated on a week-to-week basis by the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners. As of Monday, May 30, however, it was allowed to lapse.
All 13 burn ban signs placed around the county remain in place, but are covered with a tarp.
“I believe the rainfall amount received over the last several days may have been significant enough to help with the severe fire danger that was present,” Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito said. “Rainfall is in the forecast for the remainder of the week and forecasters believe that the normal daily rain cycle should begin.”
As of Tuesday, May 29, the Keetch Byran Drought Index — used by the Florida Forest Service to determine fire conditions — was an average of 549 across Flagler, with some areas as low as 388 and other areas as high as 654. On the scale, zero means the grounds are completely saturated; 800 means desert-like conditions.
Although the ban was lifted, though, officials still urge caution. In the unincorporated areas of Flagler, burning yard waste does not require a permit, but state laws must be followed. Grass clippings, leaves, tree limbs and palm fronds from yard work can be burned under the following conditions.
• The fire must be eight feet or less in diameter, or be in a burn barrel. Larger fires require a permit from the Florida Forest Service.
• The fire must be 50 feet from a paved public road, 25 feet from your home and 150 feet from other occupied structures.
• All fires must started until after 9 a.m. and extinguished an hour before sundown.
• It is illegal to burn household garbage including paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint and aerosol containers.
“The most important thing to remember is never leave a fire unattended and always have a charged water hose nearby,” Petito added. “Florida law holds the person responsible for starting the fire liable for any damage from the fire.”
If normal rainfall does not occur and conditions worsen, the ban may be reinstated.
