Wildfire Risk Soars in South Florida as Drought Intensifies

Extreme drought, low humidity, and strong winds create dangerous fire conditions across the region.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme drought has combined with low humidity and strong winds to make fire risk exceptionally high in South Florida this week. The state's fire danger map indicates the southern two-thirds of Florida is at high or very high risk of fire, with at least 80 fires burning across the state. The largest fire in South Florida is a 25,000-acre blaze in Big Cypress National Preserve, and smoke from the fire may affect visibility in parts of the region.

Why it matters

Wildfires pose a serious threat to communities in South Florida, especially given the region's dry conditions and high winds. This situation highlights the growing risks posed by climate change and the need for residents to take precautions to prevent accidental fires.

The details

The National Weather Service has issued a red-flag warning, urging people to avoid open flames, keep vehicles off dry grass, and avoid outdoor burning. Burn bans have been enacted in about half the landmass of Florida, from Baker County on the Georgia border south to Palm Beach and Collier counties. Experts say the combination of extreme drought, low humidity, and strong winds has created a 'fire-friendly' environment, with charcoal grills posing a particular risk.

  • This week, the state's Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services fire danger map indicated the southern two-thirds of the state was either in a high, or very high, risk of fire.
  • The largest fire in South Florida this week was one in Big Cypress National Preserve, south of Alligator Alley along Highway 29. It encompassed 25,000 acres.
  • The dry trend will continue through the workweek, with relative humidity remaining in the 30% to 40% range on Wednesday and Thursday, and winds gusting up to 20 mph on Thursday into Friday.

The players

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The state agency responsible for monitoring and responding to wildfire risks in Florida.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued a red-flag warning for South Florida due to the high fire risk.

Kevin McEwan

The Everglades District manager for the Florida Forest Service, who warned that the combination of low humidity and high winds poses a serious fire danger.

George Rizzuto

A National Weather Service meteorologist who explained that the current conditions, with relative humidity as low as 20%, are highly unusual for Florida's dry season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Twenty to 25% relative humidity is pretty abnormal. We only really achieve that a couple days a year, maybe.”

— George Rizzuto, National Weather Service meteorologist (sun-sentinel.com)

“Wind fans flames and makes it expand. If there's just a little bit of wind, the fire would move and expand very slowly, but with the wind 15 to 25 mph it will push it faster and make a hotter fire.”

— Kevin McEwan, Everglades District manager, Florida Forest Service (sun-sentinel.com)

What’s next

The ongoing drought coupled with high winds and the cold front have made this week fire-friendly, and there are no significant rain chances until Friday and Saturday afternoon, which could produce scattered showers. Residents are urged to take precautions and follow local burn bans to prevent accidental fires.

The takeaway

This extreme fire risk in South Florida underscores the growing threat of wildfires driven by climate change, and the importance of residents being vigilant about fire safety, especially during periods of drought and high winds. Proactive measures to prevent and respond to wildfires will be crucial for protecting communities in the region.