Nassau County beach bonfires return as sea turtle season ends

Beach bonfires are back on Nassau County's coastline following the end of sea turtle nesting season Oct. 31, the county announced Nov. 3. The annual seasonal closure protects nesting loggerhead and green sea turtles and their hatchlings, which can become disoriented by artificial light sources including fires on the beach.

County officials reminded beachgoers that fires must comply with Nassau County Ordinance No. 2020-31, Section 4, which sets specific location, materials, and cleanup requirements for bonfires on beaches from Peters Point south to the state park boundary. Violations can result in orders to leave the beach, and failure to comply may lead to trespassing charges and penalties under the ordinance.

What the rules require

Under the 2020 ordinance, bonfires on Nassau County beaches must remain within designated vehicle areas and are prohibited in the dunes. The dune systems along Nassau's Atlantic coastline provide critical habitat for wildlife and act as the first line of defense against storm surge and erosion.

The county explicitly prohibits burning pallets or any wood containing nails, staples, rivets, fasteners, straps, or similar metal items. These materials can leave dangerous debris buried in the sand that poses injury risks to barefoot beachgoers and wildlife. Some pallets are also treated with chemical preservatives that release harmful substances when burned, according to the county's notice.

Beachgoers must completely extinguish fires and cover the fire area before leaving the beach. Leaving a fire unattended is prohibited. The ordinance applies to the stretch of beach from Peters Point, near the Amelia Island parkway entrance at the island's southern tip, south to Amelia Island State Park at the island's northern end.

Why the seasonal restriction protects sea turtles

Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 through Oct. 31 along Florida's Atlantic coast. During this period, loggerhead, green, and occasionally leatherback sea turtles come ashore at night to dig nests and lay eggs in the sand above the high-tide line. Hatchlings typically emerge 45 to 70 days later, also at night, and instinctively crawl toward the brightest horizon—naturally, the moonlight reflected on the ocean.

Artificial light sources, including bonfires, can disorient hatchlings and cause them to crawl inland instead of toward the water, leading to dehydration, predation, or death. Adult female turtles may also avoid nesting on beaches where lights are visible. Nassau County's beaches, particularly along Amelia Island, are part of an important nesting corridor for loggerheads, which are classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The Nov. 1 return of bonfires coincides with the end of the nesting window and the period when the last nests of the season have typically hatched. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists and local sea turtle monitoring groups conduct nest surveys throughout the season and mark nests to track hatching success.

What enforcement and compliance look like

Nassau County's ordinance gives beach patrol and law enforcement officers authority to order individuals in violation to leave the beach. If someone refuses to comply with that order, they may face trespassing charges in addition to penalties specified in the ordinance.

The requirement to extinguish and cover fires serves multiple purposes: it prevents embers from rekindling in winds, protects beachgoers—especially children—from burns caused by walking or playing on hot sand the next morning, and helps preserve the beach's natural appearance. Uncovered fire pits can also trap small wildlife or become hazards for sea turtle hatchlings in late-season nests.

The designated vehicle areas referenced in the ordinance are the portions of Nassau's beaches where driving is permitted. Nassau County allows vehicle access on much of its oceanfront beach, a feature that distinguishes it from many other Northeast Florida beaches. Restricting fires to these zones keeps them away from the more ecologically sensitive dune habitat and concentrates recreational use in areas already subject to regular human activity and compaction.

What debris left behind means for beach ecosystems

The prohibition on burning wood with metal fasteners addresses a persistent beach-cleanup challenge. Nails, staples, and metal straps can remain buried in the sand for months or years after a bonfire, posing puncture and laceration risks to people and animals. Beach raking and grooming equipment used by some municipalities and resorts can break or become damaged by hidden metal debris, and shorebirds and sea turtles can also be injured.

Chemical-treated lumber, common in pallet construction, can release toxins including arsenic, chromium, and creosote when burned. These substances can contaminate the sand and, when washed into the surf, harm marine life. The Nassau County coastline supports diverse wildlife including shorebird species such as least terns and black skimmers, both of which nest on beaches and forage in the surf zone.

The leave-no-trace principle the county emphasized—"leave nothing behind but footprints"—reflects broader coastal-management goals. Nassau County's beaches are both recreational assets and fragile ecosystems. The A1A corridor, which runs the length of Amelia Island, has seen steady growth in tourism and residential development in recent years, increasing pressure on beach resources.

How this fits the region's coastal protection efforts

The seasonal bonfire restriction is one element of a broader suite of sea turtle protection measures along Northeast Florida's coast. St. Johns, Duval, and Flagler counties enforce similar nesting-season rules, and most coastal municipalities have lighting ordinances that require beachfront properties to shield or turn off lights visible from the beach during nesting season.

Nassau County's beaches, particularly the undeveloped stretches near Amelia Island State Park and the southern end of the island, remain relatively dark compared to heavily developed coastlines farther south in Florida. This makes them valuable nesting habitat. The Amelia Island sea turtle monitoring program, run by volunteers in coordination with state wildlife officials, has documented hundreds of nests annually on the island in recent years.

The return of bonfires each November marks an informal seasonal shift on the First Coast's barrier islands. After months of nesting-season restrictions, residents and visitors resume evening beach gatherings as fall temperatures make outdoor fires more appealing. The timing also aligns with the Thanksgiving and winter holiday stretch, when beach bonfires are a tradition for many coastal families.

Nassau County's reminder comes as the region continues to balance growth and environmental stewardship. The county's population has grown steadily, driven in part by the Wildlight master-planned community near Yulee and development along the SR 200/A1A corridor. Beach access, coastal habitat protection, and quality of life for both residents and wildlife remain intertwined priorities as Northeast Florida's coastline attracts more visitors and new residents each year.