Florida Declares State of Emergency as Extreme Drought Engulfs Central and South Florida, Burn Bans Cover Majority of Counties
FLORIDA — A state of emergency has been declared across Florida as the worst drought conditions since 2001 grip much of the state, with extreme dryness now affecting large portions of Central and South Florida.
New drought intensity maps show widespread D3 (Extreme Drought) conditions dominating the peninsula, particularly across central, southwest, and southern counties. Areas along the Gulf Coast, interior Central Florida, and much of South Florida are shaded in red — indicating the most severe category currently impacting the state.
Over Half of Florida Under Burn Bans
More than 50% of Florida’s counties are now under burn bans as officials respond to rapidly increasing wildfire risk.
Months of below-average rainfall have led to:
- Critically low soil moisture
- Dropping groundwater and water tables
- Dry vegetation across forests and grasslands
- Elevated wildfire danger statewide
With persistent warmth and little meaningful rainfall in the forecast, fires can ignite and spread quickly under current conditions.
Central and South Florida Hit Hardest
The most intense drought conditions are centered across:
- Central Florida counties
- Southwest Florida
- South Florida, including areas near the Everglades
While portions of the Florida Panhandle are experiencing moderate to severe drought, the peninsula remains the epicenter of the crisis.
The drought intensity scale indicates:
- D1 (Moderate Drought) in lighter tan shades
- D2 (Severe Drought) in orange
- D3 (Extreme Drought) in red
Large swaths of Central and South Florida are firmly in the D3 category, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
What the State of Emergency Means
The emergency declaration allows Florida to:
- Mobilize emergency response resources
- Coordinate wildfire suppression efforts
- Manage water supplies more aggressively
- Streamline response to escalating fire threats
Officials warn that without consistent, soaking rainfall, conditions will likely continue to deteriorate.
Wildfire Risk Growing
Dry vegetation combined with warm temperatures creates a volatile setup for brush fires and fast-moving wildfires. Even small ignition sources — such as discarded cigarettes, equipment sparks, or lightning — could trigger significant fires.
Residents are being urged to:
- Follow all burn bans strictly
- Avoid outdoor burning and open flames
- Conserve water where possible
- Stay alert for local emergency updates
Bottom Line
Florida is facing one of its most serious drought episodes in over two decades. With extreme drought entrenched across Central and South Florida and burn bans affecting a majority of counties, the state is now in full response mode.
Until meaningful rainfall returns, wildfire danger and water concerns will remain elevated statewide.
Stay with Waldronnews.com for continued updates on Florida’s drought emergency and wildfire conditions.