A burn ban took effect in Volusia County Friday, due to unusually high drought indicators. It will stay in place until further notice.
Volusia joins dozens of other counties with similar bans across the state. Across east Central Florida, the only counties without burn bans currently in place are Lake, Orange and Seminole. (Orange County has a year-round ban on the open burning of yard debris.)
RELATED: Florida's drought continues to worsen, extreme drought grows 20 percent
For two straight weeks now, all of Florida has been under some kind of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a national map built by meteorologists and climatologists for tracking drought conditions. The map is updated every Thursday.
Last week, about 43% of the state was in an extreme drought, the second-most severe level. This week, it’s 67%. At the extreme drought level, groundwater levels decline, fire danger becomes extreme and fish kills occur, according to the USDM.
Compared to other parts of Florida, drought conditions in Central Florida are generally less extreme, ranging from abnormally dry to severe. As of the end of January, within the St. Johns River Water Management District’s 18-county coverage area, Volusia was the only county that remained above normal rainfall levels for the year.
Still, water resources are stressed, with a Phase I Moderate Water Shortage still declared for parts of the District as of Feb. 10.
RELATED: District declares water shortage extending to all of Marion, Sumter counties
Under the current water shortage, all water users (domestic, utility and commercial) are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use, according to the St. Johns River Water Management District. Residents, businesses, and property managers are encouraged to proactively plan for extended dry conditions, as well as the potential for additional restrictions.
More detailed information is available from the district, including county-specific instructions for areas covered partially by other water management districts. For example, in Marion County, The Villages and Dunnellon should follow restrictions according to the Phase II Severe Water Shortage declared by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. That more severe water shortage is in place for all of Polk and Sumter Counties, plus parts of Lake, from Feb. 8 through July 1, 2026.
As of the end of January, annual rainfall across the St. Johns River Water Management District was 43.95 inches. That’s 7.06 inches below the long-term average. Districtwide, groundwater levels were just within the normal range for January, falling within the 25th percentile for January.
Fire officials urge residents to be cautious with outdoor activities and offer these wildfire safety tips:
- Do not discard cigarettes from moving vehicles.
- Do not park a hot car or operate all-terrain vehicles on dry grass.
- Check lawnmowers and farm equipment to ensure spark arresters are properly functioning.
- Extinguish cooking fires when outdoors, and never leave them unattended.
- Allow a 30-foot buffer of non-combustible material around your home.
- Clean the roof and gutters regularly.
- Teach family members how to use a fire extinguisher. Test smoke detectors regularly.
- Rake leaves, dead limbs, and twigs. Clear flammable vegetation.
- Have a garden hose long enough to reach any area of your home and property.Source: Volusia County
