Florida Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Florida - May 31, 2026

Overview

Florida has experienced an extremely active wildfire season driven by a prolonged, historic drought and critically dry vegetation across the state. Since the beginning of the year, over 1,700 wildfires have burned across Florida, straining state and local resources. While the transition into the summer rainy season is beginning to bring much-needed moisture, the combination of drought-hardened soil and returning thunderstorms with dry lightning strikes continues to create potentially risky situations for wildfires. The current National Preparedness Level is 2, with regional resources heavily committed to managing ongoing incidents and protecting communities.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, fire activity has remained significant, with the Florida Forest Service and partner agencies tracking numerous active wildfires statewide. Significant wildland fire activity is occurring in multiple geographic areas, requiring coordinated support to manage incident objectives. The potential for new significant wildfires to start remains a concern due to returning summer thunderstorms that bring lightning strikes. Firefighters are working to contain these fires while also preparing for potential new starts.

Key Fires:
Big Cypress National Preserve Fire: Located in the Big Cypress National Preserve, this human-caused fire has generated dense smoke across South Florida and the Florida Heartland Region. It is primarily fueled by sawgrass, brush, and pine timber. The fire led to the temporary closure of Alligator Alley and prompted the evacuation of the community of Jerome due to burnout operations. Crews are focused on reinforcing containment lines and managing smoke impacts.

Railroad Complex Fire: Prompting several evacuations near Leno, this significant fire led to the shutdown of Amtrak service for the nearby railroad, putting critical infrastructure and transportation values at risk. Firefighters are working to secure the perimeter. The fire is feeding on dry brush, grass, and mixed timber.

Naples Fire: This fire prompted evacuations for portions of Naples, threatening residential areas and high-value properties. Crews have been actively engaged in structural protection and suppression efforts, navigating dry brush and urban-interface fuels.

Everglades National Park Fire: Burning west of U.S. Route 27, this fire has forced the closure of parts of Everglades National Park. The fire has produced large smoke plumes impacting the Miami Metropolitan Area, fueled by dense sawgrass and marsh vegetation.

Cow Creek Fire: A FEMA Fire Management Assistance declaration was issued for this ongoing incident. Firefighters are working to contain the fireline and patrol for hotspots in dry timber and grass fuels.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: While prescribed fires are a carefully planned tool used by land management agencies to reduce wildfire risk and support healthy ecosystems, the recent historic drought has prompted more than half of Florida's counties to implement strict burn bans. Residents are urged to strictly adhere to local burn bans as agencies adjust land management activities in response to the active wildfire situation and transitioning weather patterns.
Air Quality: Smoke from the active northern, central, and southern Florida fires is drifting on prevailing winds, causing unhealthy air quality readings in areas ranging from Jacksonville down to Palm Beach County and the Miami Metropolitan Area. The American Lung Association recently noted that persistent wildfire activity is heavily impacting the state's air quality. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, are advised to monitor indoor and outdoor air quality and limit outdoor exposure when smoke is present.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A deep southwesterly flow is bringing scattered to numerous showers and storms along the sea breezes. Areas of the Western Panhandle and Northeast Florida are seeing increased moisture and localized flooding, which is aiding firefighting efforts in those specific regions.
Forecasted Weather: While the incoming rain provides relief, a few storms could become locally strong with frequent lightning and gusty winds over the next 72 hours. Lightning poses a significant risk for new fire starts in areas where fuels remain critically dry. Highs are expected in the 80s to lower 90s, with feels-like temperatures approaching the middle to upper 90s across Central and South Florida. Red Flag Warnings may be issued in localized dry sectors if gusty thunderstorm winds align with low humidity before the rain falls.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to be mindful of fire traffic, road closures (such as Alligator Alley), and potential smoke impacts. It is crucial to heed all local burn bans, have an emergency evacuation plan in place, and clear dead brush from properties to create defensible space and reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters are working under challenging conditions, battling extreme heat, high humidity, and dense smoke. Agencies are conducting ongoing suppression repair and coordinating with local emergency management to protect communities and critical infrastructure.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
Florida Division of Emergency Management: www.floridadisaster.org
Florida Forest Service Wildfire Information: www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.