Extreme to exceptional drought, dry fuels, and breezy days triggered numerous wildfires in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida in April that continued through the month of May. Multiple rounds of beneficial rain fell across the wildfires in May which helped in the containment of local ongoing wildfires.
Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS JAX wrote it up.
Extreme to exceptional drought, dry fuels, and breezy days triggered numerous wildfires in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida in April that continued through the month of May. Multiple rounds of beneficial rain fell across the wildfires in May which helped in the containment of local ongoing wildfires.
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 May 1, 1:11 AM UTC, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 911 PM EDT Thu Apr 30 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 - Thunderstorm Outlook Today through Saturday. Isolated Strong Storms Possible this Afternoon & Friday. Isolated Severe Storms possible Saturday. Storm Hazards: Gusty Winds, Heavy Rain. Low (< 2%) tornado risk Saturday. - Beneficial Rainfall Through the Weekend. Rainfall Totals of 0.5-2.0 inches, Local High End 4 inches. Highest Rainfall Totals Likely Inland SE GA - Moderate Risk of Rip Currents Today Through Saturday && .UPDATE... Scattered showers are moving south of Jacksonville through Palatka and Saint Augustine areas through the next hour and should weaken by 10-11PM with decreasing instability now after sunset with isolated offshore showers and T'storms persisting through midnight as the cold front moves south of I-10 this evening. A few swaths of a half inch to an inch of rain have fallen from Osceola National Forest south and east across Macclenny, Lawtey, to Middleburg while some spotty quarter to half inch amounts are scattered from downtown jacksonville to Jacksonville Beach south to Saint Augustine and Palm Coast areas. Included some partial clearing over SE GA north of the frontal boundary. Patchy fog will develop overnight as partial clearing extends into inland NE FL as mid and high level clouds thin out with light northerly winds over SE GA turning northeasterly into dawn while westerly winds over NE FL turn northwesterly towards sunrise. Lows will be in the low to mid 60s over SE GA, upper 60s along the SE GA and NE FL coast, and mid to upper 60s over inland NE FL. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... Main Highlights This Period: -Isolated Strong/Severe Storms Possible This Afternoon and Evening This afternoon: Numerous breaks in the cloud cover ahead of approaching frontal boundary will continue to push temps well into the 80s, with even a few 90F readings possible across NE FL in the breezy West to Southwest flow around 15 mph with a few gusts to 25- 30 mph at times. This heating will provide enough sfc based CAPE to generate scattered to numerous showers and widely scattered storms area-wide through the afternoon and evening hours. Decent mid level jet aloft will also enable a few strong to possible severe storms with hail and gusty winds of 40-55 mph as they move rapidly off towards the east and into the Atlantic waters after sunset. Tonight: The frontal boundary will sag southward into NE FL after midnight and stall close to the I-10 corridor by morning. Following any evening convection, rainfall chances will remain on the lower side as some energy aloft lifts across SE GA through the overnight hours with widely scattered showers and a remote chance of a storm. Overnight lows will fall into the lower 60s across SE GA behind the frontal boundary, while milder lows in the mid/upper 60s are expected across NE FL. Winds will diminish to near calm towards morning and patchy fog is possible over all inland areas, but expected abundant mid/high clouds should prevent significant dense fog potential. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... Main Highlights This Period: - Unsettled weather brings beneficial rain - Isolated strong/severe storms possible Friday and Saturday Friday, showers will be present over southeast Georgia in the early morning, with coverage spreading southward through the day. Overall, most activity will be showers but enough CAPE will be available for a few thunderstorms. Highest chances for any isolated strong thunderstorms will be generally over inland northeast Florida in the afternoon/evening when the Gulf and Atlantic sea breezes interact. Decent range in high temperatures Friday due to the front, with northern inland Georgia seeing highs in the mid 70s, and north central FL reaching the low 90s. A stronger frontal system will move through the area Saturday, sparking up convection near sunrise over inland southeast Georgia, with activity moving southeasterly throughout the day into northeast Florida. Showers and storms will taper off over southeast Georgia Saturday evening, with convection south of the area entirely by Sunday morning. Strong to isolated severe storms are possible on Saturday, generally in the morning for southeast Georgia and afternoon/evening for northeast Florida. Most of the area is currently in a 'Marginal' risk (level 1/5) for severe storm potential, with damaging winds as the primary hazard. However, there will be enough shear to promote a low tornado risk as well. For Saturday, an even larger range in highs forecast, mid 60s for Jeff Davis county, and low 90s for Marion/Putnam/St. Johns counties. As far as our much needed rainfall, there is a high chance of areas along and north of I-10 receiving at least 1 inch of rain through Sunday morning. For the same area, a medium chance of 2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts within heavy thunderstorm developments near 3-4 inches. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Main Highlights This Period: - Drier, Cooler Weather Sunday and Monday Cooler and drier conditions expected on Sunday following the cold frontal passage, high temperatures will remain in the 70s area-wide as skies clear up and northeasterly winds develop. A gradual warm up will occur each day Monday through Wednesday, and by Wednesday high temperatures will reach the low 90s over most inland locations as winds shift southwesterly. An afternoon Atlantic sea breeze will keep temperatures on the immediate east coast in the mid to upper 80s. && .AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Scattered showers and isolated T'storms will continue to shift east southeast across the Duval county Terminals to SGJ through 02-03Z this evening with brief restrictions to MVFR visibility due to heavier downpours and gusty winds 20-30 knots. Otherwise, the cold front near the Florida and Georgia state line will sink into Northeast Florida overnight. Partial clearing of mid to high level clouds and near calm winds will create patchy fog with MVFR ceilings prevailing over inland the Northeast Florida TAF sites from 08-12Z while low stratus arrives north of the front to SSI after 06Z that will bring IFR to LIFR ceilings through 16Z. Scattered ceilings around 3.0 kft persist over Northeast Florida sites through Friday afternoon with VCSH through midday and VCTS by early afternoon as the front lifts northward back towards southern GA and strong diurnal heating creates scattered showers and T'storms. Have PROB30 groups for SSI where higher heavier showers appear more likely Friday late afternoon. Winds turn northeasterly 6- 10 knots on Friday north of the front and along the coast with west to southwesterly winds south of the front over GNV. && .MARINE... A cold front will move into southeast Georgia this afternoon and then into northeast Florida late tonight. This front will then stall across the northeast Florida waters Friday then begin to lift north as a warm front Friday night. This front will be accompanied by scattered showers and a few thunderstorms at times through Friday night. A wave of low pressure will then develop over the Gulf by late Friday night or Saturday, with widespread showers and a few strong to severe thunderstorms overspreading the local waters on Saturday, with activity expected to continue into Saturday night. Small Craft Advisory conditions may develop on Saturday as southwest winds increase. The front will shift south of the northeast Florida waters on Saturday night, resulting in winds shifting to northerly. Breezy northeast winds are then expected on Sunday as high pressure builds into the southeastern states, with diminishing winds and seas early next week as the high pressure builds over the local waters. Rip Currents: Moderate risk of rip currents with surf/breakers around 2 feet will continue today and Friday. Stronger offshore flow on Saturday will keep rip current risk low to moderate, before a stronger N-NE flow develops Saturday Night and a high risk and rough surf is expected on Sunday in the wake of departing low pressure system and strong onshore flow. && .FIRE WEATHER... - High Daytime Dispersions Saturday - Beneficial Rainfall Expected Into This Weekend Scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms are expected area-wide today and Friday as a cold front moves into the area. Breezy southwesterly surface and transport winds will continue across north central Florida on Friday, where high daytime dispersions are expected. Surface and transport winds elsewhere will shift to northeasterly, with poor to fair values for locations north of I-10. A stronger cold front then moves through Saturday into Sunday. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are forecast on Saturday and Saturday night. Strong southwesterly surface and transport winds ahead of the front will result in very high dispersions on Saturday across northeast Florida. MinRH will drop into the upper 20-30s Sunday and Monday for most inland areas following the frontal passage as winds shift northeasterly. FOG POTENTIAL AND OTHER REMARKS: Isolated strong/severe storms possible Friday and Saturday. Smoke from nearby fires may result in localized visibility reductions, especially during the overnight and early morning hours. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 62 77 59 72 / 20 60 70 100 SSI 67 76 65 77 / 30 60 50 90 JAX 66 84 65 83 / 20 60 30 90 SGJ 67 84 66 87 / 30 50 20 70 GNV 67 89 66 87 / 10 40 10 80 OCF 67 89 66 87 / 10 30 0 70 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. MARINE...None. &&
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
8 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.
The Pace CT wildfire near Interlachen continued through most of May at 343.35 acres with 85% containment. Due to beneficial rain through the month, the Florida Forest Service updated the containment to 90% on May 29th. The fire continued to burn through the end of the month.
On April 19, 2026 around 530 PM EDT, Clay County EM reported a 100 acre wildfire in Green Cove Springs which grew quickly to become the Crews Rd Fire. 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. On May 1st, the Railroad Complex fire was at 4,796 acres with 80% containment per the Florida Forest Service. On May 6th, the fire was 4,796 acres and 95% containment. On April 29th, the fire was 4,796 acres with 100% containment. The Railroad Complex Fire was officially closed on June 3rd.
On April 19, 2026 at 8 PM EDT, Putnam County WP reported a 700 acre wildfire in Palatka which grew to become the Railroad Fire. 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. On May 1st, the Railroad Complex fire was at 4,796 acres with 80% containment per the Florida Forest Service. On May 6th, the fire was 4,796 acres and 95% containment. On April 29th, the fire was 4,796 acres with 100% containment. The Railroad Complex Fire was officially closed on June 3rd.
The Sargent wildfire developed in northwest Baker county, northern Osceola National Forest on April 2, 2026 around 350 PM EDT and grew to 2,523 acres by the end of April. In the beginning of May, about 1.96 inches of rain fell over the Sargent Fire. Although rain was received, there was still a lot of heat in the swamp, and the fire continued to creep and smolder. Lots of reburn occurred in varied areas. Vegetative fuels remained extremely dry, allowing for reburn to take place. On May 5th, the Sargent fire was 2,523 acres and 81% contained per the Florida Forest Service Suwannee Forestry Center. On May 12th, the fire was at 90% contained, per Florida Forest Service.
The Sargent wildfire developed in northwest Baker county, northern Osceola National Forest on April 2, 2026 around 350 PM EDT and spread into northern Columbia county. In the beginning of May, about 1.96 inches of rain fell over the Sargent Fire. Although rain was received, there was still a lot of heat in the swamp, and the fire continued to creep and smolder. Lots of reburn occurred in varied areas. Vegetative fuels remained extremely dry, allowing for reburn to take place. On May 5th, the Sargent fire was 2,523 acres and 81% contained per the Florida Forest Service Suwannee Forestry Center. On May 12th, the fire was at 90% contained, per Florida Forest Service.
Bradford County Fire responded to a wildfire in Booker, FL on the 21st of April, which grew to 205 acres during the next several days thereafter. Initially, there was a minor evacuation order for the area. The fire continued to burn through April into early May. At the beginning of May, the fire was 60% contained. On May 13th, the fire was 100% contained at 205 acres.
On March 21st, a brushfire developed near Cross Creek, FL and caused evacuations. For much of May, the fire remained unchanged at 134 acres at 90% containment. On May 23rd, the fire was 100% contained.
On May 4th, FEEM Emergency Services reported a Wildfire of unknown acres and containment that caused the Road Closures of CR-346 and CR-325 in Hawthorne, FL. On May 5th, per FFS, the fire was at 100 acres with 30% containment. The fire quickly grew to 956 acres with 65% containment on May 8th. On May 10th, containment had risen to 85%. The fire continued to burn through the end of the month.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, May 2026
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: 1331215, 1331269, 1331270, 1331213, 1331214, 1337353, 1337358, 1337357.