Wildfires

U.S. Drought Monitor map for Southeast United States.

Environment

Punta Gorda sets temporary ban on outdoor fires, open burning

WGCU Staff

A temporary burn ban is in place for the City of Punta Gorda.

Environment

Lack of rain strengthens drought conditions, stokes wildfire worries for Southwest Florida in 2026

Tom Bayles

In November alone, more than 1.7 million people living in counties along or near Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast were plunged back into a moderate drought. And drought often precedes wildfires.

Large wildfires out west combined with those in the rest of the country have done less damage, dollar-wise, than drought during the last 45 years

Environment

Drought's slow decimation poised to worsen in South Florida in coming decades

Tom Bayles

Drought is the third-costliest natural disaster in the country, and goverment scientists just reported in an academic journal the natural disaster is poised to get worse

Florida habitats depend on fire. There are plants that won’t bloom or seed until they’ve been touched by a flame, for example. Fire also regulates biodiversity. The debris accumulation and heavy overgrowth of plants such as saw palmetto make it impossible for grasses and wildflowers to grow. The Naples Botanical Gardens depends on prescribed fire to help these types of plants.

Environment

Naples Botanical Garden uses prescribed fire to cut wildfire fuel

WGCU Staff

Naples Botanical Garden is conducting a prescribed fire on approximately 2 acres in the facility's preserve, beginning late Tuesday morning and lasting several hours. Fire-certified garden staff will monitor the area into the evening and the following days to ensure no hot spots go undetected.

The Bonita Springs Fire Department said Monday that it was making headway on wildfires fires that erupted on Saturday near I-75. However, the winds with up to 22 mph gusts are still a concern. Some rain in the area was also considered a bit of good news. The department said it's focus is now by I-75 and Kent Road.

Environment

Lee County Public Safety seeks public input for the Community Wildfire Protection Plan

WGCU Staff

Lee County is seeking public feedback as it updates its Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), a guiding document that helps the community understand and reduce wildfire risk.

Enough rain fell during the end of May and beginning of June across the southern portion of the Florida peninsula to significantly lower the drought conditions — except for Southwest Florida and the Everglades, which remain shown in the bright red color that signifies "extreme drought" to the federal weather forecaster at the U.S. Drought Monitor

Weather

Drought, loosening grip on Sunshine State, has not let go of Southwest Florida

Tom Bayles

Enough rain fell during the end of May and beginning of June across the southern portion of the Florida peninsula to significantly lower the drought conditions — except for Southwest Florida including the Everglades, which remain in "extreme drought" according to the U.S. Drought Monitor

Environment

Canadian wildfire smoke pours across U.S. Midwest into north Florida; Washington sends aid

WGCU Staff

The Associated Press is reporting that air quality in some parts of the United States is worsening as smoke from dozens of wildfires in Canada travels south, pushed by winds high in the atmosphere.The U.S. was sending aid in several forms to Canada.

A drought is a prolonged period with little to no rainfall, leading to water shortages in a region. The air temperature can be hot or cold. A heat wave is usually just a few days of air temperatures far warmer than expected in a region during any given time of year. The air can contain a lot of moisture, and be humid, or just the opposite, described as "dry heat." Whatever the characteristics of the heat wave, it can worsen the impacts of a drought due to increased heat stress and a greater water demand. Despite a shorter-term duration, a heat wave can compound the bad things about a drought and cause more harm to man and the environment.

Environment

Warm temperatures in store after heat dome parked over worst drought in Florida in 25 years

Tom Bayles

New research discovered an existing drought, like the one in South Florida since January, can lengthen heat waves, like the one parked over Florida, a North Carolina weather researcher found.

Current status of wildfires across Florida.

Environment

Sunshine State mess: Drought strengthens, wildfires threaten, hurricane season approaches

Tom Bayles

More than 100 wildfires were burning throughout Florida at the end of April, 14 million state residents are gripped by drought, and hurricane season's coming.

The Big Cypress National Preserve has closed two trails due to a wildfire.

Environment

Big Cypress National Preserve issues temporary trail closure

WGCU Staff

A temporary trail closure in the Big Cypress National Preserve is in effect after the discovery Saturday of a more than 340-acre fire east of State Road 29 and north of Deep Lake.The temporary closures include the Deep Lake Trail (including Trail Head) and the Fire Prairie Trail. During the closure all recreational use including off-road vehicles, hiking, camping, hunting and commercial activities are prohibited in the designated areas.