ORLANDO, FLa. – The latest U.S. Drought Monitor update from Thursday shows no improvement across the region compared to last week.
Areas shaded in red continue to experience extreme drought, while those in orange remain in severe drought conditions.
Since last week’s report, extreme drought has expanded into Polk and Sumter counties.
Across Florida, drought conditions have actually worsened. Last week, about 90% of the state was experiencing at least severe drought.
In the latest update, that number has increased to 95%. Extreme drought has also expanded significantly, rising from 72% of the state last week to 79% now.
April typically marks the final stretch of the dry season—and is often the driest month of the year. During this time, wildfire risk peaks and water levels tend to drop to their lowest point, just before wetter patterns begin to return.
Lake County issued a countywide burn ban on Wednesday due to extreme drought and high wildfire risk.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index hit 501, above the 500-point threshold that triggers fire restrictions. The county joins neighboring counties already under similar bans.
A burn ban is a temporary restriction put in place by local officials that prohibits outdoor burning, such as campfires, yard debris burning, or trash burning. These bans are issued when conditions are especially dry to reduce the risk of wildfires spreading quickly.
Drought refers to an extended period of below-average rainfall, which leads to water shortages, dry soil, stressed vegetation, and increased wildfire danger.