Jacksonville Ends Temporary Burn Ban After May Rains

Overview

• City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department lifted the emergency open‑burn ban on June 3 after consulting the National Weather Service, Florida Forest Service, and the Emergency Preparedness Division.
• Rain totals at Jacksonville International Airport measured 8.09 inches in May, well above the 3.42‑inch average, and officials cited that rainfall as the main factor in improved fire‑risk metrics.
• The April 21 emergency order had been issued because of extreme drought and National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings and had moved JFRD and the Duval County Emergency Operations Center to a Level 2 partial activation.
• Duval County’s year‑round municipal code still prohibits outdoor burning without a city permit except for small campfires, cooking fires, and limited warming fires, so residents must get permission to burn yard debris.
• Officials, including JFRD Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II, said drought risks remain under watch and the temporary ban could be reimposed if conditions deteriorate, while other Florida counties have also been easing burn restrictions after spring rains.