U.S. drought monitor shows abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions in central Florida. | National Integrated Drought Information System
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Polk County officials issued a burn ban effective Nov. 25 due to a prolonged lack of rainfall throughout the summer and into the fall. 

The ban includes Lakeland, unincorporated Polk County and the following municipalities: Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales and Winter Haven.

The burn ban prohibits campfires, bonfires and unpermitted controlled burns. Additional prohibited activities include:

  • Burning of yard and household trash
  • Burning of organic debris
  • Igniting of fireworks
  • Noncommercial burning of materials, other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, which is not contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height

Abnormally dry in Polk

From January through October 2025, Polk County experienced the 17th driest year to date in the past 131 years. 40.5% of Polk is currently experiencing moderate drought, and 29.58% is abnormally dry.

“This ban is a preventative measure to make sure we can keep the community and our members as safe as possible,” said Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “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.”

Anyone who refuses to comply or violates the ban can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days in the county jail or both.

Keetch-Byram Drought Index

Burn bans are determined using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). The KBDI is a continuous reference scale, ranging from 0 to 800. It assesses the moisture content from no moisture deficiency (0) to maximum drought conditions (800) of the soil. This helps predict the potential for wildfires.

A burn ban goes into effect once more than 50% of the county reaches over 500 on the index. Polk County’s current daily reading is 53% over the 500 benchmark with a countywide average of 507.

Polk County officials may repeal the burn ban when deemed safe.

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Anna Toms was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo., where she cultivated a love for writing and eventually earned her Ph.D. in literature and the humanities. She is an experienced educator who has taught students from middle school to college to think critically and express themselves clearly. Anna moved to Lakeland in June of 2020.

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