St. Johns County Administration and the Board of County Commissioners are aware of concerns and questions within the community regarding site clearing debris burns on large development sites. The county does not have legal ability or regulatory authority to manage or control burnings related to residential development, large land clearing, agriculture or silviculture. State of Florida statute authorizes the Florida Forest Service to regulate these types of site clearing debris burns.
In addition, St. Johns County does not have the ability to regulate prescribed burns in forested areas or on public lands that are conducted by state or federal agencies. For additional information regarding state-regulated site clearing debris burns or prescribed burns, please visit www.sjcfl.us/FirePrevention/OpenBurning.aspx or www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Wildl…, or call the Florida Forest Service at 386-585-6150.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulates air quality and can also be reached at 904-256-1553. St. Johns County does have the legal authority to regulate residential burning, including permitting bonfires, prohibiting fires on beaches or open burning of certain materials, and allowing campfires and small-scale yard trash or household paper product burning.
For more information on local residential burning, visit www.sjcfl.us/FirePrevention/OpenBurning.aspx or call 904-209-0624.