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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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The atmospheric setup gripping Florida and much of the Southeast is primed for fast‑moving, hard‑to‑contain fires, AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek.
On Tuesday, 113 wildfires were burning simultaneously across the Sunshine State, consuming 30,000 acres. Burn bans remain in place across many Florida counties, and in some cases, evacuations and local emergency declarations have been made.
“Drought, critically low humidity, and gusty winds are creating a dangerous setup across parts of Florida and the Southeast,” Buckingham said. “Grasses and vegetation have dried out to the point where fires can ignite easily, spread rapidly, and become very difficult to contain.”
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Fire danger has surged across Florida as red flag warnings blanket large portions of the peninsula, signaling conditions in which fires can start easily and spread rapidly.
The Florida Forest Service and National Weather Service (NWS) offices across the state have warned that even minor sparks—such as from vehicles, outdoor equipment or discarded cigarettes—could trigger dangerous wildfire outbreaks.
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When Is Florida Wildfire Season?
Florida has two wildfire seasons, one in the fall and one from January through early May, AccuWeather Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok told Newsweek. While the state is currently within its timeframe where wildfires are expected, the sheer number of them has concerned meteorologists.
“It’s unusual to see this level of wildfire activity across the Southeast in April,” Buckingham said. “Widespread drought has left fuels extremely dry. Drought is the driving force behind this fire risk. When soils and vegetation dry out this much, it only takes a single spark and a gust of wind to create a fast‑moving wildfire.”
So far this year, there have been 1,797 wildfires across Florida, burning more than 103,000 acres, according to Florida Forest Service data.
"That's on pace in parts of the state to be record value," Pastelok told Newsweek. "We are way ahead of pace right now in Florida and Georgia."
Florida's rainy season runs from May through October.
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People in South Carolina Told to Stay Inside as Smoke Reaches State
On Wednesday, people across South Carolina were urged to limit outdoor activity and remain indoors because of smoke from Georgia wildfires drifting into the region. A code orange air quality alert was issued by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Sciences (SCDES) because of the smoke.
"As stable conditions develop tonight, smoke is expected to expand in coverage and become noticeable. Smoke from the wildfires is expected to continue to affect the region on Thursday," an air quality alert said. "SCDES recommends that individuals with respiratory health issues limit time spend outdoors and/or move all activities indoors to avoid the smoke or fine particulates. Keep windows and doors closed. Run an air conditioner if you have one but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke and fine particulates from getting inside."
Florida Wildfire Maps as Blazes Rage
Maps tracking active fires show blazes scattered across much of Florida, from the Panhandle through central and northern parts of the peninsula. In recent days, fires have burned near residential areas, prompting evacuations in some communities and forcing road closures as heavy smoke reduced visibility.
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Officials say persistent winds have further complicated firefighting efforts, allowing flames to spread rapidly and making containment difficult. Smoke has also led to air quality concerns in several areas, particularly for people with respiratory conditions. In some cases, emergency officials urged people who were sensitive to smoke to stay inside or leave the area.
On Wednesday, a dense smoke advisory was issued by the NWS office in Jacksonville for the cities of Needmore, Homerville, and Statenville. Visibility had dropped to less than half a mile because of the smoke, which the advisory said could persist until 10 p.m. Tuesday evening for Clinch and Echols counties.
"Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous," the advisory said. "Persons with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors to avoid inhaling smoke."
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Florida Drought Map
The prolonged drought underlying the crisis has left soils parched and vegetation highly flammable. Parts of Florida have gone weeks without meaningful rainfall.
Nearly all of Florida is facing at least moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor Map. More than 92 percent of the state is under severe drought conditions, with more than 70 percent facing extreme drought conditions.
Twenty percent of the state is classified as struggling with the worst level of drought, exceptional drought, which is concentrated in northern Florida.
The drought monitor map below is the most recent, issued on Thursday, April 16.
The condition has improved slightly over last week, map data shows, with the amount of Florida facing moderate, severe and extreme drought diminishing slightly.
However, there is little recovery in the immediate future.
“There is little rain in the forecast across many of the areas where fires are burning,” Buckingham told Newsweek. “Fire risk in the Southeast will remain elevated until meaningful rainfall returns.”
Emergency managers are urging residents to follow burn bans strictly, avoid outdoor activities that could spark fires, and remain alert as the state enters what could be a prolonged period of heightened wildfire danger.
Until steady rainfall returns to rehydrate soils and vegetation, forecasters say Florida’s unusual surge in wildfires is likely to persist—keeping firefighters, emergency officials and residents on edge.
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