We've hit a very early

"Dry Season" this year!

With drought conditions pushing the Keetch-Byram Drought Index higher, Sarasota County has enacted a countywide burn ban. Here’s how it applies in and around Venice—what’s allowed, what’s not, and where to get updates.

 

A countywide burn ban is now in effect in Sarasota County, triggered by drought conditions and elevated wildfire risk, officials said over the weekend. Under the county’s ordinance, burn bans automatically activate when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500; the ban lifts only after the index stays below 500 for seven consecutive days

 

What’s prohibited: “almost all open burning,” including unpermitted debris fires and bonfires, across unincorporated Sarasota County and within the City of Sarasota. What’s allowed: cooking on barbecue grills or pits that do not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height, plus any other valid state or county-authorized burn with a permit. 

 

Many homes with a Venice mailing address sit in unincorporated Sarasota County—those addresses are covered by the county ban. The City of Venice has historically mirrored county actions during drought periods and has lifted or reinstated its own recreational burn restrictions in step with county conditions (see the city’s March and June updates this year). Check for any current city-specific advisories via Venice news notices and official social channels.

 

The index estimates cumulative soil and duff dryness on a 0–800 scale; values above ~500 indicate conditions where vegetation can readily contribute to wildfire spread. Coastal neighborhoods in South County—from Venice Island to inland communities like North Port and Myakka River basin areas—can see gusty sea breezes that complicate suppression, especially on dry afternoons.

 

For Venice residents, this means: hold off on any open burning, keep the grill small and supervised, and watch county and city feeds for the all-clear. If conditions improve and the KBDI dips—and stays—below 500 for a week, the restrictions will drop automatically.

 

Until then, a little prevention goes a long way in keeping our palmettos, preserves, and neighborhoods safe.

 

For those who want furthre info, research or want to keep track, 

of the latest KBDI maps, bookmark the U.S. Forest Service/NOAA viewer. Additionally, County status & rules: scgov.net burn-ban notice  |  • KBDI background: drought.gov  |  • City updates (if issued): venicegov.com/news  |  • Non-emergency info line: 311 (inside Sarasota County) can be found within the links provided.