The combination of drought conditions and dry brush has caused numerous wildfires to break out across the state.
The Florida Forest Service last reported that more than 130 wildfires have consumed nearly 25,000 acres.
These conditions are creating the worst fire dangers since at least 2001, with 100% of the state considered unusually dry.
Crews were able to make progress on wildfire containment on Wednesday but warned the state has many more weeks of active fire conditions ahead.
One of the larger wildfires actively being worked by the Florida Forest Service is the “Railroad Fire,” located along the Clay-Putnam county line.
Firefighters say they have made progress establishing fire lines :around the blaze, but there is still a long way to go. As of the latest report, the wildfire has burned more than 4,400 acres and is about 70% contained.
Large wildfires are also burning in Baker, Levy, Broward and Dixie counties.
5:45 p.m. update:
Smoke over the weekend will trend to drift northward, meaning communities over the I-10 corridor will have the greatest problems air qualities and visibilities.
Increased moisture will help to give firefighters a time period to work to contain the blazes.
Gusty winds and reduced humidity values will return for part of next week, which could lead to more active wildfire weather.
4 p.m. update:
The number of counties under a burn ban has grown to at least 43.
Nearly the entire I-10 corridor is now underneath restrictions.
Measures ban the burning of trash and yard debris, as well as the setting of campfires.
The bans will be in place until further notice until drought conditions improve.
1:30 p.m. update:
At least one death has been attributed to the outbreak of wildfires.
The Town of Hilliard announced the death of James “Kevin” Crews who had a medical emergency while battling a brush fire in Nassau County.
"Our department and our community have lost a hero," Hilliard Volunteer Fire Chief Jerry Johnson said in a statement. "Kevin was the epitome of courage and dedication. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. We are focused on supporting his family and our personnel during this unimaginably difficult time."
11 a.m. update:
Air Quality Index values are in the moderate to unhealthy range along the Florida-Georgia border. This includes communities around Jacksonville and Lake City.
The wind direction is not expected to change much through the day, so this region could see an extended period of poorer air quality values.
Thursday updates:
9:45 p.m. update:
Humidity levels will be higher on Friday across the Peninsula and a few scattered showers may even develop, but no drought relief is expected.
The greater moisture values could help firefighters continue to make progress on containment on the approximately 130 fires burning around the state.
Unfortunately, gusty winds and warm temperatures return to the forecast next week.
5 p.m. update:
The prevailing wind flow will once again limit how many people across the state will see smoke on Friday.
Outside of areas immediately near active fires, communities to the west and northwest of the flames could experience rounds of smoke on Friday. This includes areas south of Sarasota and north of Naples, as well as along the I-10 corridor from Lake City westward through Pensacola.
A cold front approaching the Southeast will help change the wind direction for some areas over the weekend, which could have ramifications for visibility and air quality.
2 p.m. update:
Firefighters have made progress in containing the state’s largest wildfires. Many of the blazes are now above 50% containment as crews have been able to take advantage of weather conditions. Relaxed winds and increased humidity values are expected to continue into the weekend.
The largest wildfire in the state is burning around the Everglades in Broward County. The blaze is not threatening any homes but is occasionally sending smoke towards Southwest Florida.
12:15 p.m. update:
Florida's wildfires are not producing as much smoke as large wildfires burning over southern Georgia. Satellite imagery shows smoke plumes traveling towards the northeast and away from Florida but this will change with any type of wind shift.
- Pineland Road Fire in Clinch County: 29,606 acres burned and 10% contained
- Highway 82 Fire in Brantley County: 4,438 acres burned and 15% contained
With no significant rainfall in sight, wildfire activity is expected to remain elevated across the Peach State.
10:45 a.m. update:
The U.S. Drought Monitor released its latest update on Thursday morning, and it showed drought conditions continued to intensify across the state.
The percentage of communities dealing with "extreme drought" or "exceptional drought" conditions increased.
Now:
- 100% of state is unusually dry
- 99% of state is at least in a moderate drought
- 92% of state is experiencing at least severe drought conditions
- 76% of state is experiencing at least extreme drought conditions
- 22% of state has reached exceptional drought conditions
The 2026 drought is the worst drought event since 2001 and without significant over the coming weeks, conditions could continue to deteriorate.
Wednesday coverage:
9:50 p.m. update
Burn bans are now in effect in more than half of Florida’s 67 counties.
The measures prohibit the burning of yard waste and trash, as well as starting campfires.
Human-caused fires are the most common type of wildfire in the Sunshine State.
Local burn bans will remain in effect until further notice.
8:20 p.m. update:
Wind gusts are starting to relax as typically happens overnight. This allows firefighters a chance to increase containment during the evening hours.
Forecast models show winds being on the calmer side on Thursday, but humidity values are expected to be low in the 30-40% range.
The U.S. Drought Monitor will release updated drought statistics on Thursday morning which will give first responders and meteorologists a better sense of how critical dryness levels are.
4:30 p.m. update:
The Mile Marker 45 Fire burning in western Broward County has consumed around 6,500 acres and is sending smoke towards Southwest Florida.
Forecast models show thick smoke impacting Fort Myers and Naples over the next 24 hours.
No structures are reported to be threatened by the wildfire.
3:00 p.m. update:
Prevailing winds out of the south and east are helping disperse some of the smoke away from the peninsula. The worst air quality readings have remained in the moderate range. Winds will relax overnight, allowing smoke to settle near ignition sources. The closest active smoke alerts are in southern Georgia.
The Air Quality Index, commonly known as the AQI, has a range of 0 to 500, with lower values equating to cleaner air and higher values indicating unhealthy conditions.
These numbers correspond to six color-coded categories, which range from green in areas with the least concern to maroon, where conditions are considered hazardous.
During the most recent fires, most observation sites in close proximity to a fire have remained in the yellow, or moderate, category for pollution.
2:00 p.m. update:
The U.S. Forest Service provided an update, saying the “139 Fire” burning near Wilma, outside Tallahassee, is the largest blaze across the state, with 6,499 acres burned. The fire began on March 17 and is 50% contained.
Fires burning on federal lands are not included in state statistics.
