The number of wildfires burning in Florida is continuing to climb, with most rainfall over the weekend and Monday morning falling on counties not suffering drought conditions.
Monday morning, April 7, there were 54 wildfires burning in Florida, up from 49 April 4, according to the Florida Forest Service, affecting 1,333 acres.
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The largest fire is the Wiggins Fire, burning 250 acres in Collier County. The fire is 95% contained.
The average statewide drought index increased to 356 Sunday, up sharply from 313 last week. The driest conditions continue across South and Southwest Florida.
See the map: Active wildfires reported across Florida
Highlights of some of the wildfires burning in Florida:
How do Florida brush fires get their names?
“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.”
Will it rain in Florida soon?
There is some rain falling in Florida today, April 7, as storms move across the Panhandle ahead of a cold front.
Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms can be expected across North Florida Monday and the northern and central peninsula Monday night, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
Activity will weaken but persist across Central and South Florida on Tuesday, with a 45% to 75% chance of rain.
Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms may persist across South Florida and the Keys Tuesday night.
Interactive map: Enter your address to find closest wildfire risks
Current drought conditions in Florida
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida jumped to 356 Sunday, up 11 points from Saturday, April 5. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.
As of Sunday, April 6, there were 13 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger.
Another 14 of Florida’s 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.
Burn bans in place for 7 Florida counties
According to the Florida Forest Service, burn bans are in place for the following counties:
The open burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties:
Florida weather radar: Storms bring threat of tornadoes, damaging winds
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Storms aren’t helping Florida’s driest counties. See latest count of wildfires
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
