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April 17 Update: As of Friday, April 17, Polk County is no longer under a burn ban. The burn ban, which went into effect on Nov. 25, 2025, has been repealed.
On April 16, Polk County officials extended the countywide burn ban suspension until 11:59 p.m. on April 24, 2026.
As of April 15, Polk County’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) countywide average was 386 with 93% of the county under 500.
“After continuously monitoring the KBDI and speaking with stakeholders around the county. I decided to extend the burn ban suspension for another week,” said Polk County Fire Chief Shawn Smith in a statement. “We are looking at longer term solutions for either an extended suspension or complete repeal but that is something that will come at a later date.”
Polk County officials have temporarily suspended a county-wide burn ban as of Thursday, April 9. The suspension runs through Thursday, April 16, at 11:59 p.m.
Since November 25, 2025, the ban prohibited campfires, trash burning, fireworks and other open flames in Lakeland and surrounding areas.
“The recent heavy rains have finally brought Polk County the much-needed relief from prolonged drought conditions,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith in a statement.
“Enjoy your campfires, bonfires and other legal fires but remember to burn responsibility with a water source nearby,” he said.
‘Abnormally long burn ban’
According to Nathaniel Gale, Polk County public safety information officer, the county has issued four burn bans since 2021, excluding the current ban:
- May 26 to June 22, 2021 – 27 days
- March 31 to June 1 , 2023 – 62 days
- May 28 to July 1, 2024 – 34 days
- April 15 to May 14, 2025 – 29 days
The current burn ban lasted 134 days before being temporarily suspended, and Smith warns the long-range weather forecast is not favorable for a total repeal.
“The community’s adherence to the abnormally long burn ban is admirable and I thank you for helping us keep your family, friends, neighbors and our public safety professionals safe,” said Smith.
Keetch-Byram Drought Index
A burn ban goes into effect when more than 50% of a county reaches over 500 on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI).
The KBDI is a continuous reference scale, ranging from 0 to 800. It assesses the moisture content of the soil from no moisture deficiency (0) to maximum drought conditions (800). This helps predict the potential for wildfires.
In November when the current ban was issued in Polk, the county’s KBDI average was 507. As of April 8, Polk County’s KBDI average had improved to 360 with 97% of the county under 500.
On April 10, 29 of Florida’s 67 counties had active burn bans, including surrounding Pasco, Hillborough, Hardee, Highlands, and Osceola counties.
Officials remind residents to report potentially dangerous burns to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line at (863) 298-6200 or call 9-1-1 if life or property is in immediate danger.
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