High fire risk from ongoing drought means fireworks aren’t safe in some Northeast Florida counties

Florida law usually allows personal-use fireworks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day -- two of only three days all year long when they are permitted.

But a major rain deficit is shifting things a bit as we prepare to ring in 2026.

Baker, Union and Bradford counties are all under a burn ban -- which includes prohibiting noncommercial fireworks.

Duval County has a year-round burn ban for yard debris, but with the significantly dry conditions, officials are warning it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to fireworks this holiday.

If you do plan to light up your neighborhood’s sky, News4JAX sister station WKMG got some important safety advice from Phantom Fireworks Orlando.

The company wants to remind customers to celebrate safely by following “the ABCDWs of fireworks safety.”

The safety tips include:

• A - Adults only: Kids should never handle fireworks, even sparklers.
• B - Brace your product: Use bricks on either side of the fireworks to keep them stable and ensure they point away from the audience if they tip over.
• C - Common sense: Use good judgment and always err on the side of caution.
• D - Distance: Maintain at least 50 feet between ground-based fireworks and the audience, and 150 feet for aerial products.
• W - Water: Keep multiple water sources nearby, such as a hose and a bucket of water, and pre-wet the launch area.

Phantom Fireworks offers extensive safety information and protocols at Fireworks.com.