Florida does not use California-style wildfire hazard zones, but Pasco County has significant wildland-urban interface risk. Florida Forest Service issues burn bans during drought, and Firewise USA defensible space practices are recommended rather than mandated in most of the county.
Pasco County sits within a wildland-urban interface with pine flatwoods and palmetto scrub that burn readily in dry conditions. Unlike California, Florida does not designate statutory wildfire hazard zones requiring defensible space by law. Wildfire response is governed by FS Ch. 590 (Florida Forest Service) and FS Ch. 633 (Fire Prevention). The Florida Forest Service issues county-specific burn bans when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) exceeds thresholds, and Pasco County may adopt a local burn ban ordinance under Ch. 38 (Fire Prevention) in coordination with Pasco County Fire Rescue. Residents are encouraged to follow Firewise USA voluntary guidelines: 0-5 foot non-combustible zone around structures, 5-30 foot lean/clean zone with trimmed vegetation, and 30-100 foot reduced fuel zone. Open burning requires authorization from the Florida Forest Service (FS §590.125). New construction in unincorporated Pasco follows the Florida Building Code; no county-wide ignition-resistant construction mandate exists.
Burning during a Forest Service or county burn ban: misdemeanor under FS §590.28, fines up to $1,000 plus suppression cost recovery if fire escapes. Unauthorized open burns: FS §590.125 penalties. Defensible space is advisory, not mandatory.
Zephyrhills, FL
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See how Zephyrhills's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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