Published: November 25, 2025
Bartow, Fla. (Nov. 25, 2025) — As Polk County experiences unseasonably dry weather conditions due to a prolonged lack of rainfall throughout the summer and into the fall, Polk County officials issued a burn ban effective Nov. 25. The ban includes unincorporated Polk County and the following municipalities: Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales Lakeland and Winter Haven.
Yo detèmine entèdiksyon boule a lè l sèvi avèk Endèks Sechrès Keetch-Byram (KBDI). KBDI a se yon echèl referans kontinyèl, ki varye ant 0 ak 800. Li evalye kontni imidite tè a soti nan pa gen defisyans imidite (0) rive nan kondisyon sechrès maksimòm (800). Sa ede predi potansyèl pou dife forè.
Utilizing the KBDI, the process of a burn ban begins once more than 50% of the county reaches over 500 on the index. Polk County’s current daily reading is 53% over the 500 benchmark with a countywide average of 507.
The burn ban prohibits:
• Campfires;
• Bonfires;
• Unpermitted controlled burns;
• Burning of yard and household trash;
• Burning of organic debris;
• Igniting of fireworks; and
• Noncommercial burning of materials, other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, which is not contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
”After examining the latest KBDI data, we are issuing a burn ban. This ban is a preventative measure to make sure we can keep the community and our members as safe as possible,” said Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “This is an unusual time of the year for a burn ban but due to the abnormal lack of rainfall this summer and fall, it is necessary. PCFR asks for your help in keeping Polk County safe by not burning until the end of the ban.”
Nenpòt moun ki refize konfòme li oswa ki vyole entèdiksyon boule sa a ap vyole Òdonans Konte Polk 08-015 epi yo ka pini li ak yon amann ki pa depase $500 oswa ak yon prizon ki pa depase 60 jou nan prizon konte a, oswa toude.
Responsab nan konte Polk la ka anile entèdiksyon boule a lè yo jije li san danje.