ORLANDO, Fla. – There will be no statewide fireworks ban this Independence Day for the state of Florida, however as of June 25, nearly a dozen counties still have active burn bans in place.
If a county-wide burn ban is in effect the use of personal fireworks is prohibited.
Orange, Osceola Manatee, Sarasota Charlotte, Glades, DeSoto and Collier counties remain under burn bans.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, KDBI, is used to estimate the dryness of the soil.
A KDBI value of 500 typically enacts a county-wide burn ban.
For the burn ban to be allowed to expire, a KDBI value be 500 must be observed for 5-7 consecutive days.
Orange and Osceola counties have been below the 500 number for 6 consecutive days, meaning the burn ban may be lifted Friday or sometime over the weekend.
It is important to note that a day without rain combined with the intense Florida sun could add 15-30 points to the KBDI per day, sending counties teetering with the 500 value back to burn ban status.
Other current burn ban counties KDBI values
- Manatee - 659
- Sarasota - 659
- Charlotte 551
- DeSoto - 542
- Collier - 250
- Glades - 275
Glades and Collier counties are examples of the KDBI not being the only guidance for burn ban issuances.
Weather Into Independence Day
Drier than normal weather will move into most of the Florida peninsula for the weekend, but a pattern change is likely by the start of the new work week.
While there is cautious optimism there will be no burn bans in effect across Central Florida for the Fourth of July, the rain coming leading up to the holiday is likely too little too late for parts of Southwest Florida and Gulf Coast.
Even if recent rain allows you to set off personal fireworks, it is important to still exercise caution as most most of Florida remains in a drought.