Florida Commissioner Wilton Simpson and state leaders warn residents about escalating wildfire conditions and urge statewide preparedness ahead of peak fire season

Brooksville, Florida – Florida officials are sounding the alarm as the state enters a critical stretch of wildfire season, warning that dry conditions, rising fire activity, and human-related risks are combining to create what they describe as an extremely dangerous situation across much of the state.

In Brooksville, state leaders gathered for a press conference where Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson joined Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia, and officials from the Florida Forest Service to provide an update on wildfire conditions, forecast risks, and prevention strategies for residents.

Commissioner Simpson emphasized the seriousness of the situation, pointing to early-season fire totals that are already nearing yearly averages. He warned that the state is approaching the peak of wildfire season while drought conditions continue to spread across Florida.

“Florida is already nearing our annual wildfire totals, and we are only entering the peak of wildfire season. With drought conditions affecting the entire state, the wildfire threat across Florida remains extremely high. The Florida Forest Service is fully engaged, and our wildland firefighters have already been working tirelessly for the past few months to protect lives, property, and natural resources across the state. Florida also leads the nation in prescribed fire, using controlled burns year-round to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities. Floridians can help by following burn bans, avoiding outdoor burning, and remaining vigilant throughout wildfire season.”

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State data shared during the briefing underscores the scale of the challenge. More than 2,100 fires have already burned roughly 136,000 acres in Florida since the start of the year. Federal wildfire projections also suggest the state could see well-above-normal fire potential throughout the summer months, driven largely by persistent drought conditions.

Officials stressed that while weather plays a major role in fire behavior, human activity remains one of the leading causes of wildfire ignition. Attorney General Uthmeier pointed directly to the legal and public safety consequences tied to reckless or intentional fire-setting.

“Most wildfires are caused by human activity, with over one-fifth caused by arson,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect people and property, and criminal or reckless behavior that puts them in harm’s way will come with severe punishment.”

Chief Financial Officer Ingoglia echoed those concerns, noting that the state is still only at the beginning of peak wildfire season and that conditions could worsen if drought continues.

“This is only the beginning of peak wildfire season, which means that more wildfires are possible in the coming months. I encourage all Floridians to take preventative measures to stop wildfires and minimize damage in our communities. I am thankful for the hard work of the Florida Forest Service and our forestry firefighters that put their lives on the line to protect our communities.”

At present, nearly 40 counties across Florida are under burn bans, reflecting how widespread and severe dry conditions have become. Officials are urging residents to carefully check local restrictions before engaging in any outdoor burning activities, as rules can vary depending on location and fire risk levels.

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Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service, said fire crews are prepared for continued activity but stressed that prevention remains the most effective defense against large-scale wildfire events.

“Conditions are dry, fire danger remains high, and we expect this season to stay busy. Our wildland firefighters are ready, but wildfire prevention is something every Floridian can help with.”

State forestry officials outlined several steps residents can take to reduce wildfire risks, including creating defensible space around homes, properly managing yard waste, following safe burning practices where permitted, and reporting any suspicious activity that could indicate arson. Public education efforts are also being expanded to encourage residents to take proactive measures before fires start.

The Florida Forest Service encourages residents to visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com for safety guidance and preparedness tips, while current wildfire conditions and updates are available through FDACS.gov/CurrentWildfires.

Beyond emergency response, officials highlighted Florida’s long-standing use of prescribed fire as a key tool in reducing wildfire risk. The state leads the nation in controlled burns, treating approximately 2 million acres of land each year. Since the beginning of 2023, more than 580,000 acres of state forest land have been treated.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages over 1 million acres of state forests and supports forest management across more than 17 million acres of private and community lands. Its responsibilities include wildfire prevention, suppression, and long-term land stewardship.

As the state moves deeper into peak wildfire season, officials say cooperation between agencies and residents will be essential. With drought conditions still widespread and fire activity already elevated, Florida leaders are urging the public to stay alert, follow restrictions, and take every possible precaution to reduce risk in the weeks ahead.