Florida, 2026Wildfire in Florida, April 19 to 30, 2026
April 19 to 30, 2026 · NWS JAX · 4 events in 4 counties and zones
Extreme to exceptional drought continued or worsened for the majority of the region throughout the month of April. This, combined with many days of breezy to gusty wind conditions, resulted in a number of wildfires that continued through the end of the month.
Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
Open the live radar over this ground
- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $500,000
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Events
- 4
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
Extreme to exceptional drought continued or worsened for the majority of the region throughout the month of April. This, combined with many days of breezy to gusty wind conditions, resulted in a number of wildfires that continued through the end of the month.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 19, 6:01 PM UTC, 2 hours 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- For the latest NE FL and SE GA Daily Key Messages please visit: https:/www.weather.gov/media/jax/briefings/nws-jax-briefing.pdf
- Extreme to Exceptional Drought Continues. Dry Conditions Will Support Increase Risk of Fire Spread
- Red Flag Inland SE GA Today, Fire Weather Watch Monday for most of the inland areas. Breezy Winds and Critically Low Minimum Humidity this afternoon and Monday
- Gusty Coastal & Hazardous Boating Conditions Tonight. Small Craft Advisory in effect beginning this evening. Moderate to High Risk of Rip Currents Monday
Area forecast discussion, Apr 19, 6:01 PM UTC, 2 hours 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
201 PM EDT Sun Apr 19 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
For the latest NE FL and SE GA Daily Key Messages please visit:
https:/www.weather.gov/media/jax/briefings/nws-jax-briefing.pdf
- Extreme to Exceptional Drought Continues. Dry Conditions Will
Support Increase Risk of Fire Spread
- Red Flag Inland SE GA Today, Fire Weather Watch Monday for
most of the inland areas. Breezy Winds and Critically Low
Minimum Humidity this afternoon and Monday
- Gusty Coastal & Hazardous Boating Conditions Tonight. Small
Craft Advisory in effect beginning this evening. Moderate to High
Risk of Rip Currents Monday
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
- Dry conditions will support Critical and Elevated Fire Concerns
A cold front currently stretching across coastal SE GA into Suwannee
Valley will continue to move southeastward across the area today as
a mid/upper level trough sweeps across the SE states. A few showers
developing along and behind the front could bring very light rain or
sprinkles to SE GA and the I-10 corridor this afternoon. Moisture
will be very limited and there likely won't be any measurable
accumulations from these showers. Breezy northwesterly winds develop
in the wake of the front and spread across the area bringing
sustained 10-15 mph winds with gusts around 25 mph this afternoon.
Drier air filters in lowering Min RHs to critical levels in inland
SE GA. The combination of breezy winds, critical humidity, and
exceptional drought for this afternoon prompted the issuance of Red
Flag warnings for Atkinson, Coffee, and Jeff Davis counties. Cloudy
skies and moisture from the front will limit more widespread
critical fire concerns from developing. Breezy conditions will
remain along the coast during the evening and overnight hours as
winds begin to shift to northeasterly. Overnight lows will be in the
mid 50s to lower 60s across NE FL, while SE GA will be cooler in the
upper 40s to low 50s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Main Highlights This Period:
- Fire Weather Watch along and south of I-10 over inland NE FL on
Monday
- Critically low minimum humidity values inland each day
- A period of elevated onshore flow Monday
On Monday, the broad base of a mid-upper level trough will exit the
area with rising heights as ridging builds in through early Tuesday.
In it's wake and behind the cold front from today, strong high
pressure builds in from the northwest and north keeping the pressure
gradient tight against the departing front. This will produce breezy
northeast flow for much of the area but especially near the coastal
areas from Fernandina Beach southward.
Dry air from the sfc to aloft will help lower dewpoints for Monday
into the 20s and 30s where we have a fire weather concerns. This
combined with the gusty winds will create dangerous fire weather
conditions, mainly for inland southeast GA and northeast FL.
The temperatures on Monday will be near to slightly below normal in
the mid 70s coast to about 80 degrees inland. Monday night sees
mostly clear skies. This will help lead to decent radiation cooling
given that winds should quickly drop off as a piece of the high
pressure system gets centered over portions of the area. Lows are
forecast all the way down to 45-50 degrees inland and mid 50s at the
coast.
On Tuesday, increased ridging aloft will help rebuild high pressure
to the north of the area. Onshore flow and stable conditions will
lead to a pleasant day with highs a bit closer to normal. Still,
given the severe drought and some occasional breezy winds, fire
weather concerns remain high. Tuesday night, not as cool with lows
in the 50-60 deg range with some airmass moderation from the onshore
flow and perhaps a few more high clouds moving in ahead of a mid
level trough over the central Gulf coast.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Main Highlights This Period:
-Dry conditions persist into next week into Friday
-Isolated T'storms possible Saturday and Sunday
-Warming Trend this Period
Shortwave trough will bring a period of some high clouds over the
region Wednesday through Thursday morning while surface high pressure
ridge will settle into the area with fairly weak sfc flow except for
a breezy afternoon sea breeze at the coast. Some increase in low
level moisture expected due to the east-southeast low level flow.
Thursday onward, the ridge of high pressure at the sfc and aloft
looses some of its strength with the sfc high pushing further
offshore to the east and southeast. This will result in further warm
up but still largely dry conditions. PWATs do rise a bit from
0.70 inches on Wednesday to about 1.2 inches by Saturday and Sunday,
which is at or slightly above the norm for this time of year.
By Saturday into Sunday, a weak cool front will move into the
eastern U.S., but remains to the north and northwest of our
area. There may be enough moisture to kick off a few showers or
thunderstorms on Saturday (forecast POPs of 20-30 percent),
mainly forced from the west and east coast sea breezes.
Dewpoints at least rise to upper 50s and lower 60s bringing in
some better sfc moisture. However, confidence in this latter POP
forecast is a bit uncertain given the relatively dry conditions
persisting.
Temperatures will begin with highs near normal Wednesday and above
normal Thursday into Sunday. Low temperatures will be near normal
through Friday and slightly above normal on Saturday and Sunday.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
VFR conditions will persist through TAF period. Breezy northwesterly
around 10-15 kts continue this afternoon as a cold front moves
through the area. Gusts will occasionally be in the 20-25 kt range.
Winds shift to north-northeasterly after 00Z, with gusty winds
continuing along the coastal sites.
&&
.MARINE...
A cold front will move through the waters during the afternoon hours
today. The front will bring a rapid wind shift to the north this
afternoon and evening, then a surge of northeast winds following the
frontal passage through Monday night. Small Craft Advisories are in
place from tonight and into Monday Night. Winds and waves subside
Monday night as high pressure builds into the area for mid-week.
Rip Currents and Surf:
A low to moderate risk of rip currents Today due to offshore west to
northwest flow ahead of a cold front. High/moderate risk of rips expected
early this week as a strong NE wind surge develops behind the
cold frontal passage.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
- Red flag warning until 8 pm EDT this evening for portions of
southeast Georgia
- Fire weather watch from Monday afternoon through Monday
evening for portions of northeast and northern Florida
- Fire weather watch from Monday morning through Monday evening
for portions of southeast GA
- Critically low minRH values today over inland southeast
Georgia and much of inland northeast Florida
- Areas to widespread high daytime dispersion rest of today
through Thursday.
A cold front is moving through the area today which will result in
northwest winds becoming 10-15 mph gusting to 20-25 mph, but clouds
and moisture ahead of the front will prevent MinRH values
from falling to critical levels, limiting the risk for Red Flag
conditions except for Atkinson, Coffee, and Jeff Davis counties
where a Red Flag Warning remains in effect.
On Monday, strong high pressure will build in from the northwest
with breezy northeast winds near 15 mph gusting to 25 mph and critical
MinRH values 15-20 percent will create dangerous wildfire conditions
and a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for all of inland Southeast GA
in addition to Northeast FL locations along and just south of the
Interstate 10 corridor. The breezy surface and transport winds
will create high dispersions Monday.
High pressure will be over the area Tuesday and Wednesday before
gradually moving east of the area Thursday into Friday, with dry
conditions persisting and critical MinRH values over inland
Southeast GA and portions of northeast FL each day this week. Breezy
east to northeast winds Tuesday will diminish Wednesday with daily
Atlantic seabreeze moving well inland into Friday. Areas to
widespread high daytime dispersions are expected daily into at least
Thursday due to high mixing heights and moderate transport wind
speeds.
FOG POTENTIAL AND OTHER REMARKS: There will be potential for
Localized "superfog" near the vicinity of any smoke from ongoing
wildfires
&&
.CLIMATE...
Record High Temperatures at NE FL/SE GA climate sites:
April 19: JAX 92/1995, CRG 91/2013, GNV 94/2011, AMG 91/1968
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG 47 80 48 82 / 10 0 0 0
SSI 60 73 57 74 / 10 0 0 0
JAX 55 77 50 80 / 10 0 0 0
SGJ 63 75 57 77 / 10 0 0 0
GNV 55 81 48 84 / 0 0 0 0
OCF 59 81 50 84 / 0 0 0 0
&&
.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Fire Weather Watch from Monday afternoon through Monday
evening for FLZ021-023-024-030-031-035-120-136-220-232-
236-322-422-425-522.
High Risk for Rip Currents from Monday morning through late Monday
night for FLZ124-125-138-233-333.
GA...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ132-133-
149.
Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Monday evening
for GAZ132>136-149-151>153-162-163-165-250-264-350-364.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 11 AM EDT
Monday for AMZ450.
Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Monday
for AMZ452-470-472.
Small Craft Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 10 PM EDT
Monday for AMZ454.
Small Craft Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 2 AM EDT
Tuesday for AMZ474.
&&In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 19, 8:12 PM UTC, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
412 PM EDT Sun Apr 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 PM Wildfire 2 NE Gainesville 29.70N 82.32W
04/19/2026 Alachua FL Park/Forest Srvc
Residents near 110 NW 39th Ave have been
ordered to evacuate due to nearby wildfire
that is about 25 acres. N Main St. and NE
53rd Ave are currently closed.
&&
PKWildfire, Eastern Clay
- When
- April 19, 4:30 PM EDT to April 30, 11:59 PM EDT
- Where
- Eastern Clay forecast zone
- Property damage
- $250,000
- Crop damage
- $250,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 29.983, -81.858 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
On April 19, 2026 around 530 PM EDT, Clay County EM reported a 100 acre wildfire in Green Cove Springs with 0% containment. Evacuations occurred at Varney Rd and Woodward Rd due to the wildfires located along Crews Rd in Clay County and north of Bostwick in Putnam County. The wildfires were 1700 acres combined between the two counties. On April 20 at 6 PM EDT, Florida Highway Patrol reported a Road Closure of US-17 and Varney Rd due to the ongoing Wildfire in Green Cove Springs. US-17 reopened later that evening. On April 21st, the Florida Forest Service decided to combine the Crews Rd Fire in southeast Clay County and the Railroad Fire in northeast Putnam County into the Railroad Complex Fire. The combined new total acreage was 4112 with a 50% containment. On April 28, the fire was at 4,796 acres with 80% containment. Breezy winds, extreme drought conditions, lack of beneficial rain, and dry fuels continued elevated fire activity through the month of April. The cause of the fires were believed to be from humans.
Wildfire, Eastern Putnum
- When
- April 19, 4:30 PM EDT to April 30, 11:59 PM EDT
- Where
- Eastern Putnum forecast zone
- Property damage
- $250,000
- Crop damage
- $250,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 29.609, -81.744 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
On April 19, 2026 around 530 PM EDT, Clay County EM reported a 100 acre wildfire in Green Cove Springs with 0% containment. Evacuations occurred at Varney Rd and Woodward Rd due to the wildfires located along Crews Rd in Clay County and north of Bostwick in Putnam County. The wildfires were 1700 acres combined between the two counties. On April 19, 2026 at 8 PM EDT, Putnam County WP reported a 700 acre wildfire in Palatka with a 5% containment. On April 20, the fire was at 1,000 acres with 5% containment. Amtrak and CSX trains were rerouted due to the wildfire near the railroad tracks. All lanes of US-17 were closed at 1512 US-17 in Palatka. The roadway was being used as a staging area for emergency response vehicles. On April 20 at 6 PM EDT, Florida Highway Patrol reported a Road Closure of US-17 and Varney Rd due to the ongoing Wildfire in Green Cove Springs. US-17 reopened later that evening. On April 21st, the Florida Forest Service decided to combine the Crews Rd Fire in southeast Clay County and the Railroad Fire in northeast Putnam County into the Railroad Complex Fire. The combined new total acreage was 4112 with a 50% containment. On April 28, the fire was at 4,796 acres with 80% containment. Breezy winds, extreme drought conditions, lack of beneficial rain, and dry fuels continued elevated fire activity through the month of April. The cause of the fires were believed to be from humans.
Wildfire, Bradford
- When
- April 21, 4:17 PM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Bradford forecast zone
- Reported by
- Fire Department/Rescue
- Coordinates
- 29.950, -82.169 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Bradford County Fire responded to a wildfire in Booker on the 21st of April, which grew to 205 acres during the next several days thereafter. The fire continued to burn through the end of the month, reaching maximum containment of about 60%.
Wildfire, Baker
- When
- April 23, 3:19 PM EST to 5:20 PM EST
- Where
- Baker forecast zone
- Deaths
- 0 direct, 1 indirect
- Reported by
- Park/Forest Service
- Coordinates
- 30.331, -82.285 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A very small brush fire ignited but was quickly suppressed on the 23rd of April. However, a volunteer firefighter passed away after suffering a medical emergency while battling the fire.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|
| Wildfire, Baker | 2026-04-23 | 59 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
- Wildfire
- A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1330157, 1330158, 1330141, 1330153.