Florida Wildfire Map Shows Blazes Raging After Roads Severed

Several wildfires are burning across Florida on Friday, with red flag warnings in place for a number of counties.

The blazes have forced a number of road closures across the state this week, including the US-1’s 18-Mile Stretch on Thursday, which hampered connection between the mainland and Florida Keys.

Why It Matters

Florida’s wildfire season runs year-round, but peaks from late spring through summer. Current dry conditions and gusty winds have increased the threat of fast-spreading blazes.

Red flag warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) highlight the potential for fires to ignite and spread rapidly, especially in central and eastern parts of the state.

What To Know

There are currently 16 active wildfires burning across the state as of Friday morning, according to a map from the Florida Forest Service.

The wildfires include, but are not limited to:

Miami-Dade: The 344 Fire has grown to approximately 25,000 acres as of Friday morning, with containment at 30 percent.
Volusia: The Honeydew fire has burned around 336 acres and is about 80 percent contained.

A wildfire map from the Florida Forest Service lists at least 16 fires in the state as “active.”

Florida Forest Service

The fires have prompted a number of major road closures in recent days, including the US-1’s 18-Mile Stretch on Thursday.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, all lanes on US-1 northbound and southbound are open as of Friday morning, but elsewhere drivers have been warned that brushfire smoke could impact visibility along some roads.

Red flag warnings have also been issued by the NWS for a number of counties in central and eastern Florida until 7 p.m. ET on Friday.

The agency said that humidity in the affected region will be between 20 to 35 percent, and wind gusts will reach 20 miles per hour.

“Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the NWS said.

“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now….or will shortly. A combination of strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”

What People Are Saying

Meteorologist Brantly Scott Keiek said on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: “The 344 Fire near Homestead between Miami and the Florida Keys has now burned nearly 25,000 acres. The wind direction switches by tomorrow afternoon as a cold front brings another round of dry air with low relative humidity values.”

NWS Miami wrote on X on Thursday: “FIRE WEATHER WATCH in effect for tomorrow, Friday 21st, for Palm Beach, Broward, & Miami-Dade Co. due to low relative humidity, with northerly winds 10-15 mph, & existing drought conditions. There are elevated fire weather concerns and outdoor burning is not recommended.”