Higher-than-normal temperatures, along with a continued lack of any substantial rain, is keeping the threat of wildfires high across Florida.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s and low to mid 90s by the end of the week and into the weekend for many cities in the Sunshine State.
The number of active wildfires reported by the Florida Forest Service is sitting around 100 early April 28, burning more than 15,000 acres.
As of 7 a.m. April 28, all major roads in Florida were open, with no visibility issues reported, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
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The air quality in Florida ranges from good to moderate.
Here’s the latest on conditions April 28.
Map shows location of active wildfires, smoke impacts across Florida
As of 7 a.m. April 28, there were 102 active wildfires burning 15,587 acres across Florida.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, between Jan. 1 and April 26 in Florida:
Georgia wildfire north of Florida burning 20,000 acres
The Highway 82 fire in Georgia, located about 35 miles north of the Florida state line, was burning more than 22,000 acres and only 6% contained as of April 28.
➤ Homes lost as wildfires spread across Georgia
The fire has destroyed 79 homes.
It’s one of several burning in the state.
Map: See where wildfires are burning in Georgia
Are any Florida roads April 28 closed due to smoke, fires?
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at 7 a.m. April 28 no major roads were closed due to fires or smoke.
➤ See latest conditions on Florida roads
Air quality across Florida as wildfires burn
According to the EPA, the air quality in Florida ranges from good to moderate.
➤ See breakdown of air quality by Florida county
Current drought conditions in Florida
The U.S. Drought Monitor on April 21 (the latest date with data available) provided the following breakdown on how bad the drought is in Florida:
➤ Strict water use rules sweep the nation ahead of summer
Drought and dryness categories: 99% of Florida
Total area in drought: 99%, impacting 18.1 million Florida residents.
The drought monitor said January-March 2026 is the ninth driest period on record, which date back to 1895.
Will it rain anytime soon?
Portions of Florida could see 1 to 2 inches of rain, especially from Central Florida through the Panhandle, over the next seven days.
➤ Florida could see series of spring cool fronts bring some rain this week
It won’t be enough to help ease the drought.
Burn bans increase to 45 Florida counties
As of 7 a.m. April 27, burn bans have been issued for 45 of Florida’s 67 counties.
What is a burn ban?
The Florida Forest Service tries combines all county-enacted burn bans on its website.
A burn ban typically prohibits the outside burning of yard trash and vegetation, as well as campfires, bonfires and burn barrels, but can vary by county.
➤ Current Florida fire danger map
Burn bans are issued when there’s a high risk for wildfires and include such conditions as:
What is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index?
The Florida Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service use the Keetch-Byram Drought Index to measure the risk of wildfires based on soil moisture, how dry fuel is, and precipitation.
The scale ranges from 0 to 800, with 0 indicating saturated soil and 800 representing extreme drought with a high potential for “intense, deep-burning fires.”
Interactive map: Enter your address to find closest wildfire risks
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Contributor: Kimberly Miller, USA Today Network-Florida
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tallahassee.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: See location of active Florida wildfires Tuesday. Are any roads closed?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
