Raging wildfires force evacuations across Florida amid historic drought, with some relief ahead for Southeast

03:16

Bone-dry conditions fuel Florida wildfire threat as drought-stricken Southeast waits for rain

Fire Weather Warnings have been issued across much of Florida for Tuesday, extending from the Panhandle into the Gulf Coast side of the state. This includes areas from Tallahassee south through Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers. Several wildfires are burning across northern Florida especially near Gainesville and Jacksonville. An ongoing, historic drought encompasses nearly the entire state of Florida, with the rest of the Southeast also experiencing drought conditions.

Fire Weather Warnings have been issued across much of Florida amid the state's worst drought in 25 years, as the entire Southeast grapples with a significant dry spell.

Currently, more than 12,000 acres have been scorched by over 100 active wildfires across the Sunshine State, including fires near Jacksonville and Gainesville that prompted evacuations.  

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Two wildfires have merged across Clay and Putnam counties south of Jacksonville. The Railroad-Crews Road Fire has burned more than 4,000 acres but has reached 50 percent containment.

Evacuation orders were issued across both counties Tuesday and some roads were closed due to smoke and poor visibility.

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Clay County officials said Sunday that one of the fires was caused by sparks from an unspecified train.

On Monday, the fires also forced Amtrak to cancel service between Jacksonville and Miami and another train route from Miami to Savannah, Georgia. Both routes were also canceled Tuesday.

Wildfire burns in Putnam County, Florida on April, 20, 2026.

(Putnam County Sheriff's Office/Facebook / FOX Weather)

Alachua County officials have declared a state of emergency in response to active wildfires in the Gainesville area. City officials said the fires are not contained, and the declaration is intended to help county government allocate resources, carry out emergency response plans and protect lives and property.

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Road closures are still in effect around parts of Gainsville, although people who evacuated Sunday have since been allowed to return home.

Burn bans are in effect across 38 counties, as well as Pinellas and Duval counties, where private outdoor burning is always prohibited. 

Just north of the border, the Pineland Road Fire has burned more than 8,900 acres in Clinch County, Georgia, some 45 miles east of Valdosta.

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A dry front that moved south Monday night over the Florida peninsula and ushered in dry air with sustained winds between 15 and 20 mph, increasing the wildfire threat.

Fire Weather Warnings have been issued across much of Florida for Tuesday, extending from the panhandle into the Gulf Coast side of the state. This includes areas from Tallahassee south through Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers.

Winds are expected to subside late Tuesday.

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After a scorching, rain-starved start to spring, the entire Southeast is experiencing drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. 

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A persistent ridge of high pressure has dominated much of the Southeast, since early March, bringing minimal rainfall, record warmth and worsening drought—creating prime conditions for fire weather.

A North Collier County fireman helps the Florida Forest Service battle a wildfire on April 14, 2026, in Naples, Florida. The historic drought has triggered evacuations in the area.

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The ongoing heat and lack of rainfall have allowed extreme to exceptional drought conditions to develop, especially across southern Georgia and northern Florida. Currently, 99 percent of Florida is under some level of drought, with 71% classified as extreme or exceptional.

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Currently, more than 15 locations are experiencing one of their top five driest springs on record, including major cities such as Tallahassee, Raleigh, Nashville and Montgomery, Alabama.

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Over the next seven days, the areas experiencing the most severe drought are expected to see little to no rain as the ridge of high pressure remains in place.

However, some long-awaited relief may finally be on the way for select areas in the region.

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According to the FOX Forecast Center, this persistent ridge that has dried out the region will begin to weaken toward the end of next week, allowing Gulf moisture to return to the Southeast, making way for much-needed rain.

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Althoughm, some of that rain could come in the form of severe storms next week.

Long-range forecasts suggest that much of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida is likely to see above-average precipitation over the next two weeks, though it may not be enough to quell the existing drought conditions. 

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Due to the severity of drought conditions, it will take significant and sustained rainfall to bring meaningful improvement, meaning it could take months for the Southeast to fully recover.

Historically, Florida's wet season, which begins in June, is strongly associated with hurricane season and rain from tropical systems — and might ultimately be the best chance for widespread relief.