SJC Issues Burn Ban Amid Extreme Drought and Elevated Wildfire Risk

• 20 April 2026
• Category: SJC News Public Safety
• Tags: 2026

Emergency order prohibits outdoor burning as dangerously dry conditions persist across Northeast Florida

Key Takeaways

• Immediate countywide burn ban in effect — All outdoor burning is prohibited due to extreme drought conditions, high wildfire risk, and a Keetch-Byram Drought Index exceeding 500, signaling very dry soils and rapid fire potential.
• Public safety focus amid escalating drought conditions — Officials warn that even small ignition sources (e.g., cigarettes, fireworks, vehicles on dry grass) could spark dangerous wildfires, with residents urged to take preventative measures seriously.
• Part of broader emergency response and worsening drought trend — The ban aligns with statewide emergency actions and follows months of escalating local measures, as St. Johns County experiences one of its driest starts to a year on record.

St. Johns County has issued a countywide burn ban effective immediately through April 27, 2026, due to extreme drought conditions and elevated wildfire risk across Northeast Florida. The burn ban may be extended if hazardous conditions persist.

The burn ban was enacted through an Emergency Order, signed by Chair Clay Murphy on behalf of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, in response to increasingly dangerous fire conditions.

Under the burn ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited, including:

• Yard debris burning
• Campfires and bonfires
• Unattended open flames

Residents are urged to avoid any activity that could spark a fire, including improper disposal of cigarettes, use of fireworks, or parking vehicles on dry grass.

“Public safety is our top priority,” said Joy Andrews, St. Johns County Administrator. “These dry conditions mean even a small spark could put homes, residents, and first responders at risk. We are asking every resident to take this burn ban seriously and make safe choices so we can protect our neighborhoods and keep our community safe.”

St. Johns County Emergency Management encourages the public to stay informed through these options:

• Follow St. Johns County Emergency Management on Facebook
• Follow Florida Forest Service on Facebook
• Sign up for Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at the Emergency Management web page
  • Ensure notification settings selected allow you to be alerted at all times for your safety.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for St. Johns County currently exceeds 500, a threshold indicating very dry soil conditions and a high potential for wildfire ignition and spread. Additionally, nearly all of St. Johns County is currently classified in Extreme Drought (D3) by federal monitoring agencies.

“Due to the extremely dry conditions we’re experiencing across our area, and no significant forecast for rain over the next 10 days, the risk for wildfire is significantly elevated,” said Sean McGee, St. Johns County Fire Rescue Chief. “Out of an abundance of caution and to protect our community, a burn ban is being issued effective immediately. We want the public to know that our crews are trained, equipped, and prepared to respond, but prevention is our strongest tool. We’re asking everyone to take this seriously and do their part to reduce the risk of wildfire.”

The local burn ban aligns with statewide emergency actions. On April 10, 2026, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis extended a State of Emergency originally issued on Feb. 9, 2026, citing ongoing drought conditions, increased wildfire activity, and agricultural impacts following severe winter weather. The order renewed emergency provisions for an additional 60 days to support continued response efforts across Florida.

St. Johns County has been proactively monitoring worsening drought conditions for months, implementing a series of escalating public safety and conservation measures, including:

• A Phase 1 Water Shortage Declaration in February 2026
• Elevated wildfire risk messaging
• A Phase 2 Water Shortage Declaration in March 2026
• Public outreach tied to Water Conservation Month in April
• Public education of Red Flag Warning conditions

Current conditions reflect one of the driest starts to a year in recorded history for St. Johns County, ranking as the 18th driest year-to-date in the past 132 years. These conditions have significantly increased the likelihood of fast-moving wildfires.

St. Johns County Fire Rescue and Emergency Management officials will continue to monitor conditions daily and coordinate with state and regional partners.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow all local safety guidance issued by St. Johns County.