Fires increasing as Florida gets even dryer
Florida’s woods and fields are on fire. Thousands of brush fires have erupted statewide since the start of the year during the worst drought in decades in the Sunshine State, with no end in sight. Experts now liken the flurry of blazes to the “Florida Firestorm” in the spring and summer of 1998, when drought led to fires that burned more than 500,000 acres, including at least 150 homes. $300 million in timber was destroyed. It got so bad, the entire Flagler County had to be evacuated. So far, 40,000 acres have burned, including a 25,000-acre wildfire in the Everglades, causing periodic closures on I-75’s Alligator Alley that started back on February 22, which burns on uncontrolled despite fire crews’ best efforts. Many drivers on the road had dangerously reduced visibility, but still, fires could be seen on the shoulder of the road scorching huge portions of Big Cypress National Preserve.
A wildfire burns along Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida, February 24, 2026. Courtesy, FDOT
And it’s not just the drive between Naples and Miami that’s under threat. In fact, about 67% of the state is listed under ‘extreme drought’ on the U.S. Drought Monitor, level 4 out of 5, with burn bans still under effect for 34 counties. The incredibly dire circumstances were only made worse by last week’s sweeping cold front, which brought high winds and dry air, and relative humidity as low as 20%, perfect for spreading the embers of already raging fires. For reference, Florida usually sits around the 50%-70% relative humidity range. “Twenty to 25% relative humidity is pretty abnormal. We only really achieve that a couple days a year, maybe,” said National Weather Service meteorologist George Rizzuto. “It requires a strong cold front and a nice strong northwesterly flow to get some of that dry continental air all the way down to the Florida peninsula.” Even with some rain forecasted this past weekend in parts of Northeast Florida, the dry spell continues, and so does the looming threat of fire.
An Orange County Fire Rescue crew extinguishes a brush fire, February 27, 2026. Courtesy, WOFL-TV
With the weather uncooperative, it’s up to us to help combat the destruction and prevent any further fires. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website, people are the No. 1 cause of wildfires, and as such, perhaps the No. 1 line of defense. The first step is to realize the gravity of the drought and the importance of small steps to combat the spread of fire, like avoiding open flames, keeping vehicles off of dry grass, and removing debris and other kindling for wildfires from the “defensible space” immediately around the home. Amplifying fire safety messages is key to educating Floridians old and new about keeping Florida relatively fire-free. The Orlando Sentinel, in an editorial last week, urged the Governor to declare a statewide burn ban, and consider banning campfires and fireworks, arguing that while unpopular, may be necessary to save the state until the rains return.
LMA Newsletter of 3-2-26
