On April 15, the Lee County Commission issued a burn ban for all unincorporated areas of Lee County and participating municipalities due to increasingly dry weather conditions throughout Southwest Florida.
The ban prohibits all outdoor burning ignition sources, including:
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Campfires
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Bonfires
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Trash or debris burning
Use of grills for food preparation is permitted and not affected by the ban. However, county officials are urging residents to exercise caution and be proactive in preventing potential wildfires.
Why the Ban Was Issued
The decision is based on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), a scale used to measure soil dryness. On April 14, Lee County’s average index value reached 612 out of 800, exceeding the threshold of 600 required to enact the ban. The ban is also supported by both the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Florida Forest Service.
Exemptions
This burn ban does not apply to:
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Prescribed burns authorized by the Florida Forest Service
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Public fireworks displays with proper permits
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Retail fireworks sales authorized by state law
The burn ban is enforced under a State of Local Emergency declared by the Lee County Commission.
Wildfire Safety Resources
Residents are encouraged to review fire safety resources from the Florida Forest Service:
Stay Informed
County officials will continue to monitor drought conditions and will lift the ban when appropriate. For updates, visit:
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Lee County’s official social media channels
For questions or additional information, contact Lee County Government via their website or public information office.
