State of Emergency Declared in Florida amid Intense Wildfires

107 wildfires burning over 23,000 acres across Florida

Florida governor has declared a state of emergency following intense wildfires that have burned thousands of acres across the Sunshine State.

• Wildfires are currently burning in Polk, Hernando, Broward, Nassau, Pasco, Mario, Glades and Collier counties.
• Some 107 wildfires burning 23,000 acres across the state, as of April 11, the Florida Forest Service reported.
• Wildfires have consumed 68,000 acres across the state, since February, an amount is higher than the average acreage charred over the past five years.
• Wildfires have consumed 250 percent more acreage January – March than during the same period last year.

Moderate to severe drought conditions are expanding across Central and South Florida, while abnormally dry conditions exist across NE Florida, reported the U.S. Drought Monitor, with the dry conditions forecast to worsen over the coming weeks.