Where are the fires in Florida? Drought conditions worsen with no rain in the forecast
The number of wildfires burning across Florida almost doubled over the weekend.
The cool mornings associated with the arrival of a cold front meant enjoyable weather for most of the state, but sunny skies and no rain are making drought conditions worsen, especially in the hardest-hit areas.
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South and Southwest Florida are among the areas seeing the worst conditions.
"Sensitive fire weather conditions" are forecast to continue across east central Florida through much of the week, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.
Monday morning, April 14, there were 62 wildfires burning, up from 39 April 11 and 33 on April 10, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The average statewide drought index increased Sunday to 360.
The National Weather Service has not issued any red flag warnings as of 10 a.m. Monday. Red flag warnings were issued over the weekend for portions of the state's interior and east-central Florida.
Dry conditions and sunny skies are expected to continue Monday, April 14, bringing "sensitive to elevated wildfire conditions" to the Big Bend, Northeast and interior Central and South Florida, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
Light winds are are helping keep conditions below the criteria required for a red flag warning.
A red flag warning is issued when "critical fire weather conditions" are in place.
"A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger," the National Weather Service said.
Forecasters said residents under a red flag warning should follow this advice:
If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road.
Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the largest wildfires burning in Florida as of April 11 were (data is updated every Friday):
East Marsh Fire: One mile west of DeLand. 3,377 acres. Now 100% contained.
Fernadez Fire: Four miles northeast of Lake Kathryn. 565 acres. Now 100% contained.
Red Horse Fire: Fire started on private land seven miles northwest of Bowling Green. 390 acres. Now 100% contained.
"Wildfire names are generally based on the geographic location of the fire or a nearby geographic feature," according to Tim Brown, communications manager with the Florida Forest Service in an email.
"For example, the '344 Fire' was due to its location near 344 Street."
Expect plenty of sunshine with a near-zero chance for rain Monday, April 14, as a system of high pressure remains over the Gulf Coast, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
Forecast for Monday, April 14:
Western Panhandle, Pensacola: Sunny. High 75. Low 66.
Central Panhandle, Tallahassee: Sunny. High 82. Low 57.
Northeast Florida, Jacksonville: Sunny. High 85. Low 57.
East Coast, Central Florida from Daytona Beach to Stuart: Sunny. High 81. Low 62.
South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples: Sunny. High 79. Low 68.
Southwest Florida, Fort Myers to Sarasota: Sunny. High 76. Low 67.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida was 360 Sunday. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.
As of Sunday, April 14, there were 18 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger.
Counties with drought index over 600, which is associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurring:
Hendry: 601
Lee: 608
Counties with drought index in the 500s:
Broward: 538
Charlotte: 569
Collier: 593
DeSoto: 531
Glades: 558
Hardee: 570
Lake: 545
Manatee: 550
Martin: 507
Miami-Dade: 539
Monroe: 555
Palm Beach: 583
Pasco: 522
Sarasota: 560
Sumter: 531
Volusia: 507
Another 12 of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.
Six counties are within 25 points of hitting 500:
Hernando: 485
Highlands: 499
Hillsborough: 492
Orange: 486
Polk: 493
Seminole: 483
Here's an explanation of what the Keetch-Byram Drought Index numbers mean, according to the Wildland Fire Assessment System.
0-200: Soil moisture and large-class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. Typical of spring dormant season following winter precipitation.
200-400: Typical of late spring, early growing season. Lower litter and duff layers are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity.
400-600: Typical of late summer, early fall. Lower litter and duff layers actively contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively.
600-800: Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels.
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
Yet another weak cold front is expected to move through Florida April 15-16, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay. While chances of rain are low, the front is expected to bring a "reinforcing shot of drier and slightly cooler air" for the middle of the week.
It won't last long. Temperatures will climb the latter half of the week and into the weekend.
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.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida wildfires, drought. See forecast, cold front, no rain
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