Florida Faces Extreme Drought and Heightened Fire Danger

State of emergency declared as drought reaches 25-year high, sparking over 650 wildfires so far this year

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Florida is experiencing its worst drought in 25 years, with 98% of the state facing some level of drought and 85% in severe drought, the highest since 2001. This has led to a dangerous start to the 2026 fire season, with over 650 wildfires recorded across the state since the beginning of the year. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency due to the drought conditions and historic cold snap earlier this month. Water shortage restrictions have been issued across the state, and emergency burn bans are in effect in 34 of Florida's 67 counties.

Why it matters

The extreme drought conditions have left vegetation across Florida bone-dry and highly flammable, posing a significant fire risk. This has strained firefighting resources as they battle active blazes like the 3,500-acre Buggy Fire in Broward County. The drought also threatens the state's agricultural industry, prompting the governor to waive restrictions to allow farmers to transport and harvest crops faster.

The details

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 98% of Florida is experiencing some level of drought, with 85% in "severe drought", the most since March 2001. The Florida Forest Service has reported more than 650 wildfires across the state since the beginning of the year, which have already consumed over 21,000 acres. Emergency burn bans are in effect in 34 of the state's 67 counties, and land management officials have resorted to intentionally burning areas like Kelly Park in Orange County to stay ahead of the fire threat.

  • The 2026 fire season in Florida historically runs from January until the start of the rainy season in June.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency earlier this week due to the drought conditions and historic cold snap the state experienced at the start of the month.
  • January 2026 was the 20th driest in 131 years of record keeping in Florida.

The players

Governor Ron DeSantis

The governor of Florida who declared a state of emergency due to the drought conditions and historic cold snap.

Florida Forest Service (FFS)

The state agency that reported a dangerous start to the 2026 fire season, with more than 650 wildfires recorded across the state since the beginning of the year.

U.S. Drought Monitor

The organization that reported 98% of Florida is experiencing some level of drought, with 85% in "severe drought", the most since March 2001.

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What’s next

In the near term, some drought relief may be on the way, as this weekend's cross-country storm could drop 1–2 inches of rain across the Panhandle through the weekend.

The takeaway

The extreme drought conditions in Florida have created a dangerous fire season, straining firefighting resources and threatening the state's agricultural industry. This highlights the need for long-term solutions to address the impacts of climate change and better prepare communities for the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events.