Sarasota County has lifted its burn ban as of April 14. Fire officials made the call after the Keetch-Byram Drought Index stayed below 500 for a week straight, lowering the immediate wildfire risk in the area.
But they’re not letting their guard down. Most of Sarasota County is still dealing with drought, and rain isn’t in the forecast. There’s a real chance they’ll bring the ban back if conditions get worse.
The original ban went into effect on October 11, 2025, when the county’s drought index hit 500, as specified in county code. Now that wildfire risk dipped, fire department officials lifted restrictions, but they’re still watching things closely. They’re asking everyone to stay careful, keep up with the open burning rules laid out in county regulations, and don’t take unnecessary risks.
If conditions get dry again and the KBDI climbs back to 500 or higher, the county will automatically reinstate the ban. It’s smart to keep checking county updates for the latest status.
Meanwhile, there has been some confusion as to whether or not North Port has lifted its burn ban. Englewood REVIEW reached out to the North Port Fire Rescue for comment. They say that in accordance with the city ordinance 26-28, Fire Chief Scott Titus has rescinded the burn ban, and it no longer exists. A public notice will be posted on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Officials recommend the Ready, Set, Go!approach for wildfire safety:
Ready: Plan for possible evacuations and create defensible space around your house to help protect it.
Set: Pull together emergency supplies, talk through your plan with family or roommates, and stay up to date through news sources and the county’s website or social media.
Go: If you’re told to evacuate, do it right away and follow your emergency plan.
For more details on wildfire safety and how to protect your home, visit scgov.net/fire.
