Skip to Left Navigation Menu Skip to page content

Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner - James R. Karels, Director

Florida Certified Wildland Firefighter patch

More information:

What To Do If You Encounter SMOKE on Florida's Highways (pdf, 561k)

Florida's Forestry Arson Alert Association (pdf, 3.9M)

Evacuation Plan: More than You May Think

If you have questions on outdoor burning, please contact your Florida Forest Service local Field Office for more information.

Florida Forest Service HOME > Wildland Fire > Fire Prevention >

KNOW THE LAW...
Before You Strike That Match
Florida's Outdoor Burning and Forest Fire Laws

Download the brochure (pdf format)

KNOW THE LAW... Before You Strike That Match- Florida’s Outdoor Burning and Forest Fire Laws (pdf, 1.1M)
Conozca la Ley Antes de Encender Fosforos- Leyes de Fuego Forestales y Regulaciõnes de Incineracion Abiertas (español, pdf, 1.1M)

DID YOU KNOW...

...Escaped Debris Burning is one of the leading causes of wildfires in Florida?
...The Florida Forest Service administers Florida’s outdoor burning and forest fire laws?
...Some types of burning require an authorization from the Florida Forest Service while others do not?
...Burning yard waste does not require an authorization but you must follow the rules for your area?

BURNING AUTHORIZATIONS

Are REQUIRED for... Agricultural, silvicultural, land clearing, pile and acreage burning all require a burning authorization from the Florida Forest Service.

Are NOT REQUIRED... to burn yard waste as long as you meet the required setbacks and there are no local, city or county ordinances in place that prohibit burning.

Check with your local city and county officials to find out if there are any restrictions in your area.

WHAT IS YARD WASTE?

Yard waste is vegetative debris such as grass clippings, brush, leaves, tree limbs, palm fronds, etc., that are a result of yard maintenance. You may burn yard waste as long as:

You meet the required setbacks and no local city or county ordinances prohibit burning,

The yard waste was generated on your property and it will fit in an 8-foot diameter pile or non-combustible container,

Your fire is ignited after 8:00 AM Central Time or 9:00 AM Eastern Time and is extinguished one hour before sunset,

Smoke is not a hazard or nuisance.

Clear an area down to bare soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading.

Cover a non-combustible container with wire mesh to keep sparks from flying out and starting new fires.

NOTE: Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter will require an 1) authorization from the Florida Forest Service, 2) must have suppression equipment on hand, and 3) need to meet additional setback requirements.

Required Setbacks for Yard Waste Burning (illustration)

Illustration of setbacks for yard waste. These setbacks are also listed below.

Check with your local city and county officials to find out if there are any restrictions in your area.

It is illegal to burn household garbage including paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticide, paint and aerosol containers.