Red flag warning issued for these Florida counties as drought worsens. See weekend forecast
A cold front is moving through Florida today, April 11, as drought conditions prompt the National Weather Service to issue red flag warnings for several counties.
Northeast Florida could see locally heavy downpours today as the front moves through, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.
The front is expected to weaken as it moves south.
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The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for seven counties early Friday along the central and east coast of the state.
Friday morning, there were 39 wildfires burning, up from 33 Thursday, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The average statewide drought index increased Thursday to 348, up seven points from Wednesday's 341.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for seven counties:
Brevard
Lake
Orange
Osceola
Polk
Seminole
Volusia
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 4 were (data is updated every Friday):
East Marsh Fire: One mile west of DeLand. 3,377 acres. 80% contained.
Fernadez Fire: Four miles northeast of Lake Kathryn. 565 acres. 80% contained.
Red Horse Fire: Fire started on private land seven miles northwest of Bowling Green. 390 acres. 95% 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."
Forecast for Friday, April 11:
Western Panhandle, Pensacola: Storms moved through the area Thursday day. On Friday, expect sunny skies, winds gusting as high as 20 mph. High 77. Low 54.
Central Panhandle, Tallahassee: A few strong to severe storms are possible Friday afternoon. Watch for gusty winds and possibility of hail. High 79. Low 52.
Northeast Florida, Jacksonville: Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday. Wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph and small hail will be the primary threats. High 81. Low 56.
East Coast, Central Florida from Daytona Beach to Stuart: Rain showers and isolated lightning storm chances will be small as a weakening cold front moves through the area Friday night. High 84. Low 61.
South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples: Scattered showers will be possible Friday afternoon into the early evening. High 78. Low 66.
Southwest Florida, Fort Myers to Sarasota: There's a risk for severe storms, mainly across the Nature Coast Friday evening into the nighttime hours. High 75. Low 66.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida was 348 Thursday. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.
Dry conditions on the weekend, combined with falling relative humidity is expected to bring "sensitive to locally elevated wildfire conditions" throughout the state Saturday, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
As of Thursday, April 10, there were 17 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger. One county, Lee, has hit 600.
Broward: 524
Charlotte: 560
Collier: 587
DeSoto: 520
Glades: 549
Hardee: 562
Hendry: 594
Lake: 537
Lee: 600
Manatee: 545
Miami-Dade: 528
Monroe: 546
Palm Beach: 574
Pasco: 514
Sarasota: 553
Sumter: 522
Volusia: 501
Another 13 of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.
Five counties are within 25 points of hitting 500:
Highlands: 487
Hillsborough: 489
Martin: 494
Orange: 475
Polk: 482
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
Early Friday, a weak cold front is expected to bring some showers to portions of the state. A few locally strong thunderstorms capable of small hail can't be ruled out, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
By Saturday morning, the front will push offshore, bringing mostly dry conditions and elevated wildfire conditions to the state.
High temperatures will reach the middle to upper 70s across North Florida and lower to middle80s across Central and South Florida on Friday.
Slightly cooler conditions will keep high temperatures in the lower 70s across North Florida, middle to upper 70s across Central Florida and upper 70s and lower 80s across South Florida Saturday afternoon.
Low temperatures will fall into the upper 40s to lower 50s across North Florida and middle 50s to middle 60s across Central and South Florida Friday night.
By Saturday night low temperatures will fall into the 40s again across North Florida, 50s throughout interior Central and South Florida and middle 50s to lower 60s across coastal Central and South Florida.
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 Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida wildfires feared from drought. Red flag warnings issued
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