Resolution 2026-19 (Burn Ban) RESOLUTION NO. 2026 - 1 q
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO ENACT AN OUTDOOR BURNING
BAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION OF COLLIER COUNTY
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-38, AS AMENDED.
WHEREAS, as a result of extreme drought, Collier County is presently experiencing severe
wildfires throughout the County which is endangering the public health, safety and welfare and is
also endangering real and personal property in Collier County; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners hereby finds that to protect the public
health safety and welfare, and to protect real and personal property, it is necessary to implement an
immediate ban of outdoor burning and outdoor ignition sources in accordance with the Ordinance
No. 2023-38, as amended, known as the Regulation of Outdoor Burning and Incendiary Devices
during Drought Conditions Ordinance;" and
WHEREAS, the following conditions are hereby found to exist:
A. The Keetch/Byram Drought Index as reported by the Florida Forest Service on
January 16, 2026, for Collier County exceeds an index value of greater than 600, indicating
extremely dry conditions, increasing the risk of wildfire ignition and spread; and
B. Collier County is among many of the driest counties in the State at the present time;
and
C. During recent dry seasons, local dependent and independent Fire Districts, and State
and Federal Agencies have responded to numerous wildfire events that have affected homes,
schools, business, parks and roadways; and
D. Past wildfires have on occasion generated periodic evacuations and impacted
commerce and travel by forcing roads to be closed for suppression or smoke management
concerns; and
E. Local Fire Chiefs, the Florida Forest Service, and the Interim Director of Emergency
Management concur that a burning ban would be prudent under the current and forecasted
meteorological conditions.
WHEREAS, this burn ban shall not prohibit burning permitted by the Florida Forest Service.
The setting of fires to any grass, brush, or forest-covered lands unless authorized by the Florida
Forest Service shall constitute a violation of law; and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to implement all prohibitions listed in the Ordinance
including open burning and the discharge of fireworks, sparklers, and incendiary devices.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that except where expressly permitted
by the Collier County Ordinance No. 2023-38, as amended, known as the Regulation of Outdoor
Burning and Incendiary Devices during Drought Conditions Ordinance, that all outdoor open
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burning, and outdoor ignition sources including fireworks, sparklers, incendiary devices (including
but not limited to campfires, bonfires, trash burning, disposal of lit cigarettes or cigarette butts) are
hereby prohibited until further notice.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second, and majority vote favoring same,
this I b fI day of -S� ! , 2026.
`',s v(!f-rt �r,
AT ` d V'F'"►'!' r,O %,, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
C :: A ,CLERK COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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► ;\ y,ler Dan Kowal, CHA AN
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Approve• as to form
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Sa ekhkar
Assistant County Attorney
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