Extreme drought.
While most of Florida’s peninsula is suffering from varying degrees of drought, portions of South Florida has been classified as under extreme drought conditions.
And conditions aren’t expected to improve anytime soon.
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The National Weather Service Tallahassee warned rainfall over the next seven days is not expected.
There is one area that could get some rain Wednesday, April 23, and that’s Northeast Florida, where isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, mainly north of I-10, this evening, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.
What’s not so good considering dry conditions are the possibilities of frequent lightning and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph associated with the storms.
As of Wednesday, April 23, there were 89 wildfires burning across Florida, burning 3,423 acres.
The average statewide drought index has increased to 429.
South Florida has only area of extreme drought east of the Plains
A portion of South Florida is under extreme drought conditions. A large section of the state’s peninsula is experiencing severe drought.
NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System posted on X “Florida now has the only area of extreme drought east of the Plains.
“41.4% of FL is in drought. Impacts include increasing fire risk and declining water levels, such as Lake Okeechobee.”
➤ ‘80% of homes lost to wildfires could have been saved.’ Here’s what you can do
The breakdown of drought conditions in the state, which affects 11.8 million residents, is:
➤ Maps: See drought conditions by county
No red flag warnings currently in effect in Florida
The National Weather Service has not issued any red flag warnings as of Monday morning.
However, very low humidity combined with dry soil and vegetation, especially when combined with gusty winds, are creating an elevated fire danger.
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning is issued when “critical fire weather conditions” are in place.
“A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger,” the National Weather Service said.
What should you do — or not do — under a red flag warning?
Forecasters said residents under a red flag warning should follow this advice:
If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road.
Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.
See the map: Active wildfires reported across Florida
Where are the largest fires currently burning in Florida?
There were 18 active wildfires burning as of Wednesday, April 23, morning.
The largest are:
Clayton Road Fire: 162 acres in Bay County. 90% contained.
Sandy Pine Fire: 108 acres in Walton County. 90% contained.
Steel Field Road Fire: 50 acres in Walton County. 90% contained.
Hauser Road Fire: 30 acres in Bay County. 90% contained.
Sunny Palms Fire: 29 acres in Miami-Dade County. 98% contained.
Nadine Road Fire: 17 aces in Bay County. 80% contained.
How do Florida brush fires get their names?
“Wildfire names are generally based on the geographic location of the fire or a nearby geographic feature,” according to Tim Brown, communications manager with the Florida Forest Service in an email.
“For example, the ‘344 Fire’ was due to its location near 344 Street.”
Will it rain today in Florida? Maybe, but that brings mixed blessing
Not likely for most of Florida but Northeast Florida could see some storms tonight, April 23, between 5 and 10 p.m..
“Marginal risk for severe storms this evening north of I-10,” the National Weather Service Jacksonville posted on X.
Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible for the area, and could bring wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph, small hail, frequent lightning and locally heavy rain.
“Conditions continue to be dry out there and many locations have not seen rain in nearly 2 weeks. Rainfall through the next 7 days is not expected,” the National Weather Service Tallahassee posted on X April 22. “Main story the next several days will be very warm weather continuing. Inland highs in the low 90s are likely this weekend into early next week,” officials said April 23.
“Dry conditions will continue with little chance for rain the rest of this week,” the National Weather Service Melbourne said.
The same forecast is true for South Florida, where it’ll remain dry again today.
Florida weather forecast for Wednesday, April 23:
Western Panhandle, Pensacola: Slight chance for thunderstorms. High 77. Low 68.
Central Panhandle, Tallahassee: Partly sunny. High 87. Low 65.
Northeast Florida, Jacksonville: Mostly sunny. High 87. Low 67.
East Coast, Central Florida from Daytona Beach to Stuart: Mostly sunny. High 82. Low 69.
South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples: Mostly sunny. High 80. Low 75.
Southwest Florida, Fort Myers to Sarasota: Sunny. High 85. Low 67.
Interactive map: Enter your address to find closest wildfire risks
Current drought conditions in Florida
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida was 429 on April 22. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.
As of April 22, there were six counties have a drought index over 600, which means severe drought conditions with an increased risk for wildfires.
There were 21 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger.
Here are the counties with a drought index over 600, which is associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurring:
Counties in bold were just added to each section.
Counties with drought index in the 500s:
Another 8 of Florida’s 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.
Two counties are within 25 points of hitting 500:
What do the drought numbers mean?
Here’s an explanation of what the Keetch-Byram Drought Index numbers mean, according to the Wildland Fire Assessment System.
0-200: Soil moisture and large-class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. Typical of spring dormant season following winter precipitation.
200-400: Typical of late spring, early growing season. Lower litter and duff layers are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity.
400-600: Typical of late summer, early fall. Lower litter and duff layers actively contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively.
600-800: Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels.
13 counties in Florida under burn bans
Thirteen of Florida’s 67 counties are under a burn ban as drought conditions worsen April 21, 2025.
According to the Florida Forest Service, as of April 22, burn bans are in place for the following counties:
The open burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties:
NWS radar: How close is needed rain to Florida?
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida drought conditions, wildfire risks. See forecast