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Planning to celebrate the new year with fireworks at home? Polk County and Lakeland fire officials say not this time.
Because of unusually dry weather, a countywide burn ban remains in effect — and that means no private fireworks, even on New Year’s Eve.
“This is an unusual time of the year for a burn ban, but due to the abnormal lack of rainfall this summer and fall, it is necessary,” Polk County Fire Chief Shawn Smith said.
The ban has been in place since Nov. 25. Polk County received 9.19 inches less rain than usual in 2025, making it the 11th-driest year in the past 131 years.
What is banned: In addition to fireworks, the ban also prohibits campfires, bonfires, burning brush and controlled burns. Burning trash is always illegal in the city of Lakeland, but while the ban is in effect, it is prohibited everywhere else in the county, too.
Small cooking grills and barbecue pits are still allowed, but anything larger is off-limits unless it’s part of a permitted religious or ceremonial activity.
If you still want fireworks in your celebration, fire officials suggest heading to a permitted professional show instead. The city of Lakeland is not having a public fireworks display, but several area venues are hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Areas under the ban: The ban applies in unincorporated Polk County and in every city that has adopted the county’s rules, including: Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Auburndale, Davenport, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred and Lake Wales.
Penalties: Anyone who violates the burn ban can be fined up to $500 and sentenced to up to 60 days in the county jail.
County officials say they’ll lift the ban once rainfall returns and wildfire risk drops.
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As usual, the neighbors could not have cared less about your ‘burn ban’. Amazingly they got away with it for hours.