Last updated on August 26, 2021

Brevard County residents are asked to refrain from outdoor burns — such as campfires, bonfires, trash burning and other incineration activities — due to near-drought conditions and only hints of rain in the forecast.

Under County ordinance, a burn ban automatically goes into place when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index hits 500. On Tuesday, Brevard County was at 481, which greatly increases the threat for the eruption of wildfires that grow and spread quickly. It is anticipated the county will reach the 500 mark on the drought index by this weekend.

The request to refrain from outdoor burning is an issue of public safety and is an effort to prevent further brush fire incidents. As of Tuesday, the Florida Forest Service was reporting two active fires in Brevard County, the Scarsdale fire at Garvey and Scenic roads in Palm Bay, and Three Forks Marsh fire off W. Malabar Road in Malabar.