‘Extreme drought’ hits region Florida

By Bill Kearney South Florida Sun Sentinel

South Florida is experiencing an “extreme drought” for the first time since 2011, and conditions have led to an elevated fire danger in the region, the National Weather Service said Thursday.

Dry conditions should continue for the next week, forecasters said.

“With very dry air and very dry fuels regionwide,” forecasters said, “the conditions will be prime for ignition and rapid burns.”

Inland Southwest Florida will see the lowest humidity levels, making the area especially vulnerable to fires.

Extreme drought conditions result in major crop and pasture losses as well as widespread water shortages or restrictions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Collier, Hendry and Glades counties have all issued burn bans as a result.

The remainder of Palm Beach County, as well as much of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, are in severe drought, which results in likely crop or pasture loss and water shortages.

The metro areas of both counties are in moderate drought.

There is near zero chance of rain through the weekend. The beginning of next week looks dry as well.

National Weather Service meteorologist Barry Baxter said that the last time South Florida experienced extreme drought was in May and early June of 2011. Lake Okeechobee drained low in 2010, and then there was a strong La Niña.

La Niña winters — such as both 2025 and 2011 — are typically dry.

2011’s La Niña was much stronger, however.

Lake Okeechobee is also low, down to around 12 feet. That reduces flow into canals as well as into the Everglades system. As a result, Baxter said that some airboat tours in the swamps are limited in areas where they can travel because the water levels are so low.

“We’re looking at dry weather at least through the middle of next week,” Baxter said. “We have high pressure sitting over us that’s preventing fronts from coming down, and we’re not in the rainy season yet, which normally starts in mid-May.”

“Nothing can really get going,” he said. “Not even thunderstorms of the sea breezes.”

To avoid accidentally starting a fire, the National Weather Service recommends that you:

Properly dispose of cigarettes and matches.

Do not use a lawn mower on weeds or dry grass.

Avoid using equipment that create sparks.

Obey local burn bans.

Ensure camp fires are completely out.

Make sure no vehicle parts drag on the ground when driving, including tow chains.