2023 Florida wildfires

Florida’s wildfire season is shaped by its subtropical climate, seasonal rainfall shifts, human activity, and occasionally catastrophic weather events. The state traditionally experiences a prolonged dry season from October through May, during which wildfire risks are elevated. Central Florida and northern Florida typically sees its wildfire trends begin as early as January, with activity continuing into May or even early June—right before the onset of the rainy season and hurricane impacts.^[2][3]

Lightning is a potent natural ignition source—but its role is often overshadowed by human-caused fires, particularly those that originate from escaped yard debris burning and equipment sparks. In 2023, lightning accounted for more than 35% of wildfires, but the remainder were traced to human activities.^[4]

Florida’s ecosystems—such as pine flatwoods and scrub—evolved with recurrent fire cycles, typically burning every 3 to 7 years to maintain ecological health. These fire-adapted landscapes depend on periodic burns to sustain species like the gopher tortoise and regenerating longleaf pine stands.^[5]

Major wildfire years have occurred in the past. One of the most destructive was the 1998 Florida wildfires, a series of thousands of fires sparked mostly by lightning and exacerbated by heavy vegetation growth followed by sudden drought conditions. These blazes scorched roughly 500,000 acres—including over 150 structures—before rains eventually helped contain them.^[6]

Hurricanes leave behind another major and often overlooked risk factor: downed trees and debris. These serve as abundant dry fuel. Experts warn that when combined with ongoing drought and drought-induced dryness, these remnants contribute significantly to early and intense fire outbreaks each spring.^[7][8]

A number of factors contributed to the wildfire season, including a La Niña event, which limited rainfall, dry brush, and effects stemming from Hurricane Ian that made landfall in southwest Florida in 2022.^[9][10] In January 2023, the National Interagency Fire Center issued a fire potential outlook which concerned areas across northern Florida and southeastern Georgia to be at above-normal levels for significant wildland fire potential.^[9] During 2023, several major cities, including Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, received below-normal precipitation, and 87 percent of the state were at abnormally dry condition levels.^[11] In February, Naples received no measurable precipitation, and the following month, only 0.84 inches (21 mm) of rain fell in Marco Island, while 0.30 inches (7.6 mm) of rain fell at Naples Municipal Airport, which resulted in a burn ban in Collier County on March 4 and the designation of an extreme drought across Collier County on March 28 by the United States Drought Monitor.^[12] Red flag warnings were issued across portions of the state in May, with several counties also issuing burn bans or prohibiting burning yard debris.^[13]

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.^[14]

On May 1, a lightning strike started a wildfire in southeastern Big Cypress National Preserve, forcing closures and evacuations north of Interstate 75.^[24] The wildfire then grew to 8,400 acres (13.1 sq mi) by May 7,^[25] and 10,000 acres (16 sq mi) by the next day, as did the containment of the fire, which increased to 5%.^[26] Evacuation plans were then implemented on May 11 in Ochopee as the wildfire grew to more than 11,000 acres (17 sq mi), also being 20% contained.^[24][27] The next day, a portion of U.S. Route 41 was closed as the fire moved towards the highway,^[28] and a travel advisory was also issued in portions of Collier and Dade counties as a result of poor visibility from smoke stemming from the wildfire.^[29] The wildfire also grew to 15,130 acres (23.64 sq mi) and was 30% contained on May 12.^[29] On May 14, the wildfire continued to spread, burning 19,814 acres (30.959 sq mi) in Big Cypress National Preserve, before being fully contained two days later.^[23]