HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County officials are not taking any chances with the current dry spell, extending a mandatory emergency burn ban today for the sixth week in a row. County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed the latest executive order on February 19, 2026, keeping a tight lid on outdoor fires as drought conditions across the region show no signs of letting up.
The numbers tell a staggering story of the danger currently facing Florida. Since the start of the year, over 900 forest and brush fires have scorched nearly 40,000 acres across the state. With local conditions ranked as high to very high for fire risk, the county is maintaining a local state of emergency to prevent a similar disaster from sparking closer to home.
Under the current rules, almost all forms of outdoor burning are strictly off-limits. This includes backyard fire pits, the use of sparklers, and even professional fireworks displays. The few exceptions to this rule are highly specific. Residents can still use a barbecue grill for cooking, provided the fire is never left unattended and stays contained within the grill. Additionally, the Florida Forest Service can grant specific permissions, and certain agricultural operations in the southern and eastern parts of the county may still burn agricultural plastic on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to prepare for the next growing season…