Dry conditions, brush fires prompt burn ban, state of emergency
A Local State of Emergency and Nassau County-wide burn ban is in place following this morning's Board of County Commissioners meeting.
The dry conditions and lack of rain in the forecast prompted the declaration, which public safety leaders say is creating conditions for fires to begin and get out of hand.
Nassau County Fire Rescue Chief Brady Rigdon and Emergency Management Director Tim Cooper were in attendance at the regularly scheduled Wednesday meeting.
"There's no relief in sight. We're not forecasting any significant rain at all for at least the next two weeks," Rigdon said. "The relative humidity levels are about to drop this weekend, there's a dry front that's coming through that's going to make things even drier, and if there's any wind associated with that then the potential for a fire to get out of hand is even greater with those conditions."
The State of Emergency will be in place for seven days and the board will determine if it is to be extended beyond the initial period.
Open burning currently is banned and Nassau County still is in a Phase II Severe Water Shortage as declared by the St Johns River Water Management District.
Nassau County issued a press release Wednesday morning following the meeting:
Nassau County, Florida, April 15, 2026 – At today’s meeting, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved Resolution No. 2026-080, implementing a burn ban for all of Nassau County, effective immediately.
All outdoor burning is prohibited, with the exception of burns authorized by permit through the Florida Forest Service. This ban does not apply to cooking on attended and properly monitored barbecue equipment.
Pursuant to Florida Statute, the burn ban will remain in effect for one week but may be extended by the BOCC upon recommendation from the Nassau County Fire Chief.
A Special Meeting has been scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. to consider extending the burn ban, if necessary.
For additional information, please contact Nassau County Emergency Management at (904) 548-0900
Phase II Severe Water Shortage rules:
- Irrigation is limited to one day per week and no more than one hour per zone on your scheduled day.
- No watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Postpone new planting and gardens that would need more frequent watering.
- No aesthetic water use (e.g., ponds, fountains)
- Restrictions apply to all water sources, public and private utilities, private wells, pumps and ground or surface water.
Current Outdoor Water Use Schedule:
- Houses with ODD numbered addresses - SATURDAY
- Houses with EVEN numbered addresses - SUNDAY
- Business/Non-residential properties - TUESDAY