Number of wildfires burning in Florida climbs as dry conditions continue. Where, what to know
On Thursday, April 3, there were 44 wildfires in the state, up from 38 the day before. More than 28,000 acres have been affected.
➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
The average statewide drought index jumped to 313 April 2, up from 303 the day before. The driest conditions continue to stretch across South and Southwest Florida.
"Well-above normal high temperatures" can be expected each afternoon into Saturday, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
"With the help of high pressure and dry conditions, high temperatures will reach the middle to upper 80s and lower 90s each afternoon. Typically, across North Florida, these are not temperatures we see for at least another three to four weeks on average, so there is a chance for record-breaking temperatures."
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida stopped its downward trend Wednesday, jumping to 313 from Tuesday's 303. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.
As of Wednesday, April 2, there were 12 Florida counties with an average Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger.
Broward: 564
Charlotte: 529
Collier: 571
Glades: 517
Hardee: 526
Hendry: 563
Lee: 568
Manatee: 521
Miami-Dade: 520
Monroe: 520
Palm Beach: 549
Sarasota: 518
Another 14 of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.
Locally sensitive wildfire conditions may be possible this afternoon and evening (April 3) along portions of the western peninsula of Florida as dry air lowers relative humidity values to near 40% to 50% and breezy conditions persist over areas with ongoing drought conditions, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
According to the Florida Forest Service, burn bans are in place for the following counties:
Charlotte
Collier
Glades
Hendry
Highlands
Lake
Sarasota
The open burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties:
Duval
Hillsborough
Orange
Pinellas
The Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in DeLeon Springs opened to the public Thursday, April 3. A fire burning since March 31, caused by lightning, is no longer threatening trails, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.
According to Erin Myers, public information officer for the East Marsh Road blaze, the fire has burned 2,800 acres and is 80% contained.
➤ Officials: Wildfire at Lake Woodruff refuge near DeLand 60% contained
Florida Forest Service Michael Harris said a fire in Collier County encompassed 70 acres as of 1 p.m. April 2. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Harris said there is no threat to public safety since the fire is mainly in a forested area. He warned smoke will linger for three to four days even after the fire is contained.
A few showers are possible across the Florida peninsula this afternoon, and an isolated rumble of thunder can't be ruled out, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
Warm and muggy conditions are expected to continue, with heat indices approaching the middle to upper 90s across west-central Florida.
Expect winds of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 15-25 mph.
Locally sensitive wildfire conditions are possible along the peninsula in the afternoon.
We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.
Contributors: Kendall Little, Naples Daily News; Patricio G. Balona, Daytona Beach News-Journal
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida brush fires map: Number at 44. More than 28,000 burned
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02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Chances increase slightly for tropical development over Fourth of July. See Florida impact
Chances for something tropical developing over or near Florida in the coming days increased while you slept. There's now a 40% chance for a tropical or subtropical depression forming over the next seven days if an area of low pressure develops in the southeastern Atlantic or Gulf by the holiday weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Regardless of development, the system could bring up to 6 inches of rain to some portions of Florida through the Fourth of July weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Chantal. In the eastern Pacific, Hurricane Flossie — now a Category 3 storm with 115 mph winds — is moving west-northwest away from land. Weakening is expected by the end of the day, July2. 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NHC still watching system near Florida. Sarasota, Bradenton impact for July 4th weekend
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Download your local site's app to stay connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: NOAA tracking system near Florida: Sarasota July 4th weekend forecast
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01-07-2025
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NOAA hurricane center watching system near Florida. How it could impact July 4th plans
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a disturbance expected to stall over or near Florida late this week, which could affect your Fourth of July weekend. By 8 a.m., chances for development over the next seven days had increased slightly, to 30%. Warm waters along the eastern Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts could provide the fuel necessary for development of a tropical depression or tropical storm around or just after July 4, AccuWeather said. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Chantal. In the eastern Pacific, Hurricane Flossie continues to strengthen off the coast of southwest Mexico. "Steady to rapid strengthening" is forecast to continue, and Flossie could be a strong Category 2 hurricane — very close to Category 2 strength — within 24 hours. 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"A cold front will dive off the coast late this week, and it may act as a catalyst for development either in the eastern Gulf or off the Southeast coast," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. "Wind shear, which can inhibit development, is expected to be fairly low and ocean water temperatures in the Gulf are above average which can aid in development in the outlooked area." "Should clustering of thunderstorms and lowering pressure develop enough spin around a center with winds of 35-38 mph, a tropical depression may be born. Waters are warm enough (80 or higher) to allow and sustain tropical development," according to AccuWeather. "This system poses no direct threat to Florida over the next 5-7 days; however, this system could bring locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds and an increased rip current risk along the Gulf or Atlantic Coast later this week and will continue to be monitored closely," the Florida Department of Emergency Management said. "Those heading to the beaches for the holiday weekend from northern Florida and the Alabama and Mississippi panhandles to the Carolinas are urged to monitor the forecast, as there may be rough surf and rip currents and perhaps gusty winds should a tropical depression or storm develop," DaSilva said. Factors helping prevent tropical development include wind shear and dry air, including Saharan dust moving across the Atlantic and into the Gulf. Hurricane Flossie continues to strengthen off the coast of southwest Mexico, according to the 6 a.m. CST advisory from the National Hurricane Center. On the forecast track, Flossie should move farther away from southwestern Mexico Tuesday, July 1. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 95 mph, with higher gusts. Steady to rapid strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, with weakening starting by late Wednesday, July 2. The National Hurricane Center predicted maximum sustained winds could reach 110 mph within 24 hours. A Category 3 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. The hatched areas on the National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone — which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane — could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome. The colors make it visibly clear how likely a system could develop, with yellow being low, orange medium, and red high. The National Hurricane Center generally doesn't issue tropical advisories until there is a named storm, but there is an exception. "If a system is near land and there is potential for development, the National Hurricane Center won't wait before it issues advisories, even if the system hasn't become an actual storm. This gives residents time to prepare," Rhome said. Named storms historically develop close to the U.S. in July, especially in the Gulf and off the Atlantic coast between Florida and the Carolinas. Later in the season, tropical storms and hurricanes develop out of tropical waves moving off the coast of Africa. Elsewhere in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring four tropical waves, including two in the Caribbean: Tropical wave 1: An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 31W, south of 16N, moving westward at around 17 mph. Tropical wave 2: A central Atlantic tropical wave is along 42W, south of 16N, moving westward at around 17 mph. 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Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin. To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA sadi. Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated: : for storms in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. : for storms in the Northwest Pacific. : for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane center tracking disturbance near Florida: July 4th outlook
