Do FL Burn Bans Apply To Fireworks On New Year’s Eve?

Under Florida law, personal fireworks are allowed on certain holidays, including New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and July 4.

But this New Year’s Eve, a number of Florida counties are under burn bans, which could prohibit the use of personal fireworks.

The following counties are affected by burn bans, according to the Florida Forest Service:

• Baker
• Bradford
• Charlotte
• Citrus
• DeSoto
• Glades
• Hardee
• Highlands
• Lafayette
• Manatee
• Polk
• Sarasota
• Union

Each county has enacted its own burn ban, which means each jurisdiction has its own local laws in place. Under these local laws, some counties on the list have banned the personal use of fireworks on Wednesday and Thursday, despite the holidays.

“Sorry folks. If you have sparklers awaiting New Year’s Eve, hold onto them for the 4th of July,” Bradenton police wrote in a social media post. “Manatee County’s burn ban has been extended through Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. That means that personal use or discharge of fireworks, sparklers, flares, campfires, and all outdoor burning is prohibited.”

In addition to campfires and bonfires, and the burning of yard debris and garbage, fireworks, sparklers, novelties, trick noisemakers, and flares are also currently banned in Citrus County, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.

Hardee County is allowing the use of personal fireworks on these holidays, though.

“The County’s fire prevention ordinance only applies to open burning activities (like burn piles or yard debris). It does not give the County authority to regulate the private use or sale of consumer fireworks,” Hardee County Fire Rescue wrote in a social media post.

Hardee fire officials added, “Under Florida law, counties do not have the authority to prohibit private consumer fireworks use or sales, even during a burn ban. The county does retain the authority to prohibit and permit supervised public fireworks displays.”

Officials went on to say that private fireworks usage is regulated at the state level rather than by counties.

“Florida law governs when, where, and how fireworks can be sold and used,” Hardee officials said.

Patch recommends checking local burn ban ordinances about the personal use of fireworks ahead of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day night.