Sarasota, Manatee fireworks complaints surge during Fourth of July burn ban

Shoppers browsing fireworks displays at retailers across the Suncoast during Fourth of July weekend wouldn’t have known a burn ban was in effect.

Stacks of fireworks and sparklers tempted customers as they entered stores, all while authorities urged the public not to set off pyrotechnics due to extremely dry conditions affecting most of the state. 

Throughout the Suncoast, people celebrating America’s 250th birthday ignored the burn ban and illegally blasted fireworks in their yards, on streets and at parties, prompting law enforcement to respond to more complaints than the year before, according to dispatch records. 

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office received 152 fireworks-related calls on July 4 compared to 64 last year. Deputies were dispatched to 22 of those calls, up from 16 in 2025. 

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office similarly received 176 complaints related to fireworks on the night of July 4, up significantly from the 60 last year.

These are just a handful of the 176 complaints the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received related to fireworks on the night of July 4. | Screen capture from Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

But officials said it remained an average Fourth of July, with no major incidents or uncontrolled fires.

Sarasota County enacted its ongoing burn ban on April 19, while Manatee County implemented a ban on June 23 that was lifted on July 8 due to rain. A burn ban takes effect when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), which measures drought conditions on a scale of 0-800, reaches above 500. A high index means minimal moisture in soil, increasing the risk of wildfires.

Violating a burn ban can lead to penalties of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail in Sarasota County. Penalties are much more severe if an ensuing wildfire leads to injuries or death.

The high KBDI in both counties meant residents weren’t permitted to set off unauthorized fireworks or sparklers during the holiday most known for just that.

Shoppers browsing fireworks displays at retailers across the Suncoast during Fourth of July weekend wouldn’t have known a burn ban was in effect. | Photo courtesy of Taurus Emerald, via Wikimedia Commons

In Sarasota, county officials took to social media to remind residents of the burn ban and the dangers of using fireworks during dry conditions. The posts reached hundreds of thousands of people online. Officials also coordinated media opportunities and posted updates on their website.

The outreach appeared to spur an uptick in reports of unauthorized fireworks.

When responding to complaints, an SCSO spokesperson said deputies enforced the ban through voluntary compliance. No fines or arrests were made over the weekend for setting off unauthorized fireworks. 

The burn ban didn’t stretch SCSO thin over the holiday weekend. The spokesperson said deputies were only dispatched for complaints where the caller wished to meet, not ones solely complaining about the noise.

MCSO Public Information Officer Randy Warren said that in some areas where complaints were received, those setting off fireworks had obtained the necessary permits to do so.

“During our patrols, we did not observe any significant incidents of reckless behavior, nor did we receive reports of injuries related to the fireworks celebrations,” Warren said.

Fire departments in both counties reported typical nights on July 4. West Manatee Fire District, which covers Anna Maria Island along with unincorporated areas like Cortez and Palma Sola, responded to two fires related to fireworks. Both were small, easily contained and didn’t lead to hazardous conditions.

A Sarasota County spokesperson said the dry conditions and hype surrounding America’s 250th birthday could have potentially created more dangerous incidents. | Nolabob, via Wikimedia Commons

The Sarasota County Fire Department responded to one fire over the Fourth of July holiday, but the cause is still under investigation.

An agency spokesperson said the dry conditions and hype surrounding America’s 250th birthday could have potentially created more dangerous incidents.

“While call volume remained consistent with a typical Fourth of July, the department’s advance planning, targeted deployment of resources, and the community’s cooperation with burn restrictions all contributed to a safe holiday,” the spokesperson said. “Our goal is always prevention first.”

Whether the burn ban led to less fireworks activity is difficult to quantify. Some Sarasota-Bradenton residents took to social media noting that it was an especially quiet night, while others complained of an onslaught of fireworks just like any other year.

“Previous years it sounded like World War II for days before and after the 4th,” they wrote. “Virtually nothing this year,” one local Reddit user posted.

Officials have not announced a projected date on when the burn ban could be lifted in Sarasota County.

“Recent rainfall is a positive sign, and we remain hopeful conditions will continue to improve,” Sarasota County spokesperson Emily Blaine said.

Clinton Engelberger is a contributor for Suncoast Searchlight. Email Clinton at clintonengelberger@gmail.com.