Florida Wildfires: Where They're Burning Right Now
Florida isn't the first state people associate with wildfires, but 2026 has been a rough year. A drought stretching back to 2025 has dried out Everglades wetlands and left more vegetation ready to burn. By August, nearly 280,000 acres had burned across the state, close to three times Florida's typical annual total. If you live anywhere near the burn zones, here's where things stand and what to do before a fire gets close.
Where Florida's Wildfires Are Burning Right Now
Recent wildfire activity has been concentrated in South Florida, with several of the largest fires burning in and around the Everglades. The latest fires added thousands of acres to an already unusually active year.
The Latest Everglades Fires
Two new fires burned roughly 10,000 acres over a single weekend in late August, according to Florida Forest Service updates reported by WGCU. The larger fires and recent closures include:
Chipmunk Fire: Burned about 17,000 acres and was 60% contained in late August.
Movie Dome, Vulture, and Lemur fires: These smaller fires were fully or mostly contained.
Shark Valley: Part of Everglades National Park, it temporarily closed while crews worked on the active fires and reopened after the immediate threat eased.
Wildfire activity has also reached other parts of South Florida. Earlier this year, the Buggy Fire burned roughly 3,500 acres in Broward County. If a fire gets close enough to threaten your area, an evacuation checklist can help you get the essentials together before you have to leave.
Why Florida Is Burning: The Drought Behind the Fires
An 18-month drought has left parts of Florida far drier than normal, giving wildfires more dry vegetation to burn. The effect has been especially serious across the Everglades, where sawgrass prairie and tree islands that usually hold more moisture have dried out.
How Bad Is Florida's Drought?
Earlier in 2026, 98% of Florida was in some level of drought, with 85% of the state in severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. That's the worst statewide drought level in 25 years. Parts of Jacksonville and Tallahassee were more than 13 inches below their normal rainfall totals, while all five water management districts issued water shortage restrictions. Southwest Florida's modified extreme shortage order runs through October 1. For homeowners looking to cut water use around the house, drought-tolerant landscaping can also mean less dry vegetation close to the home.
What's Actually Starting These Fires
Florida's wildfires generally start in one of three ways: lightning, arson, or debris burning that gets out of control. Florida's wildfire preparedness guidance identifies these as common sources of wildfire ignition.
The Vulture Fire in the Everglades was confirmed as lightning-caused, which can happen when drought leaves vegetation dry enough to catch fire easily. Earlier in 2026, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency over the drought and wildfire threat. At one point, 34 of Florida's 67 counties were under emergency burn bans at the same time.
A wildfire evacuation can happen with little warning, but not every fire forces you out. Florida has already burned nearly three times the acreage it typically sees in a full year, and fires burning nearby can knock out the grid for hours or days while you shelter at home. A whole-home system like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X keeps the fridge, the AC, and every essential circuit running until the lines come back.
A whole-home system covers you at home, but it can't come with you if the fire closes in and you have to leave. For the evacuation case, a portable power station is the practical pick: grab it on the way out, and your phone, lights, and other essentials stay powered while you're away from home. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max is sized for exactly that job.
How Florida's Wildfire Season Compares to a Normal Year
Florida has burned nearly 280,000 acres statewide through August 2026, according to WGCU reporting. That's close to three times the state's typical annual average of about 100,000 acres. More than 650 individual wildfires had also been recorded earlier in the year, before the latest Everglades fires added thousands more acres to the total.
Florida isn't the only state dealing with a bad wildfire season. Southwest Florida crews were sent to help fight the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, Texas, which burned more than 90,000 acres in late August and became the second-largest wildfire in North Texas history, according to the National Weather Service. Wildfire conditions vary from state to state, and California's wildfire causes show how drought, vegetation, and ignition sources can create a very different fire pattern.
When Wildfire Smoke Becomes a Health Problem
You don't have to live next to a wildfire to feel its effects. Smoke can travel well beyond the fire, and fine particles called PM2.5 can get deep into your lungs. That can make wildfire smoke a health concern even when the flames are miles away.
Why Is Wildfire Smoke Dangerous?
PM2.5 is small enough to travel deep into the lungs when you breathe it in. Smoke can also linger after the fire itself has moved or been contained, so checking local air quality is important when wildfires are burning nearby. People with asthma, heart or lung conditions, older adults, children, and anyone spending a lot of time outdoors can be especially affected.
How Is Florida's Heat Making Smoke Worse?
Southwest Florida had its ninth-warmest summer on record in 2026, with temperatures running about 2°F above average. The region also saw two dozen heat advisories, including 15 in the Fort Myers area. That combination of heat and smoke can make it harder to stay comfortable and safe outdoors. Checking the air quality and PM2.5 before heading outside can help you decide when to stay indoors and take extra precautions.
How to Prepare If a Wildfire Threatens Your Home
Florida's wildfire safety message is simple: “fire stops with you.” You can lower the risk around your home by keeping vegetation under control, following local burn restrictions, and knowing where to check current fire conditions.
Make Your Yard Harder for Fire to Reach
Start with the vegetation closest to your house. Keep grass and plants trimmed, remove dry leaves and branches, and avoid letting dead vegetation build up around the property. Firewise landscaping can reduce the amount of fuel available to a nearby fire, while home hardening can make it harder for embers to get into the house through vents, windows, and the roof. You can learn more about home hardening before making those changes.
Know When Fire Risk Is High
Check the Florida Forest Service's Fire Danger Index and active fire map when conditions are dry, and check your county's burn-ban status before doing any outdoor burning. During a drought, even a small debris fire can spread beyond the area where it started. If a wildfire threatens your neighborhood, pay attention to local evacuation orders and keep important medications, documents, chargers, and other essentials ready to take with you.
Conclusion
Florida's 2026 wildfire season has been far more active than normal, with drought conditions leaving more vegetation dry enough to burn and fires spreading across parts of the state. The nearly 280,000 acres burned through August show how unusual the season has been, but the risk doesn't end when a nearby fire is contained. Smoke can affect air quality miles away, while a fast-moving fire can force residents to leave with little warning. Keep vegetation around your home under control, check local fire conditions and burn restrictions, and have your evacuation essentials ready. A little preparation can make it easier to act when a wildfire gets close.
FAQs
Where are current wildfires burning in Florida?
Recent Florida wildfires have been concentrated in South Florida, especially in and around the Everglades. The Chipmunk Fire burned about 17,000 acres, while two other Everglades fires added roughly 10,000 acres over one weekend in late August. The Buggy Fire in Broward County also burned about 3,500 acres earlier in the year. Check the Florida Forest Service's active fire map for the latest fire locations.
What's causing Florida wildfires this year?
Florida wildfires are being driven by unusually dry conditions, with lightning, arson, and escaped debris burning among the main sources of ignition. The state's 18-month drought has left vegetation much drier than normal, making it easier for fires to start and spread. The Vulture Fire, for example, was confirmed as lightning-caused.
Is Florida's drought the worst in decades?
Yes. Earlier in 2026, 98% of Florida was in some level of drought and 85% of the state was in severe drought, the worst statewide drought level in about 25 years. Parts of Jacksonville and Tallahassee were more than 13 inches below normal rainfall totals, and all five of Florida's water management districts issued water shortage restrictions.
How does wildfire smoke affect air quality in Florida?
Wildfire smoke can affect air quality well beyond the fire itself. Fine particles called PM2.5 can travel deep into the lungs when you breathe them in, which can be especially concerning for people with asthma or heart and lung conditions. Check your local air quality before spending time outside when fires are burning nearby, and follow wildfire smoke safety tips if smoke reaches your area.
What's the best way to keep power on if a wildfire forces an evacuation?
A portable power station can keep phones, lights, and other essential devices charged during a wildfire evacuation or power outage. For a short-notice departure, a portable setup such as the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max can be packed and taken with you, while a whole-home battery system can provide backup power when you need to stay home. The right option depends on whether you're preparing to evacuate or sheltering at home.
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