FEMA Mobilizes Grants as Record Drought Fuels 120,000 Acres of Florida Wildfires

Nearly 2,000 wildfires have burned more than 120,000 acres across Florida in 2026, an area four times larger than Disney World, as the state experiences its most intense drought since 2001. With 49 of the state's 67 counties under burn bans and federal emergency aid now activated, officials warn the state is approaching its typical annual fire total before the peak season has fully begun.

The Details

As of early May 2026, wildfires have consumed an area equivalent to four times the size of Disney World, according to figures from the Florida Forest Service reported by POLITICO. Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan said the state ordinarily records between 2,200 and 2,400 fires over an entire year. By early May, 2026 was already nearing that total. "Typical year, we have [2,200] to 2,400 fires in a whole year, and we're almost there already," Dolan told POLITICO. "And we're just now coming into May."

The drought driving the fires is the most severe Florida has experienced since 2001. As of early May, burn bans were active in 49 of the state's 67 counties.

The fires have claimed one volunteer firefighter's life and prompted hundreds of evacuations statewide. For the first time in state history, Florida has staged brush trucks and water tankers across multiple counties to accelerate response times in financially strained areas.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved two fire management assistance grants. The Cow Creek Fire, designated FM-5632-FL, received its declaration on April 23, 2026. The Railroad Complex Fire, designated FM-5631-FL, was declared on April 22, 2026. Both grants cover 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs.

Kevin Guthrie, executive director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, told POLITICO that the state is likely to apply for additional FEMA grants in the coming weeks. Individual assistance for property owners has not been activated because a presidential major-disaster declaration has not been issued. Guthrie warned that residents without insurance should not depend on government recovery funds. "If you don't have insurance on your home, and you're expecting federal or state government or even local government to come and write you a check, that is not government's role," he said.

Context

Florida's peak wildfire season traditionally spans April through June, overlapping with the June 1 start of hurricane season. The National Interagency Fire Center now predicts the heightened threat will continue through August 2026, extending well past the usual peak. That extended timeline creates a dual-disaster risk window in which major fires and tropical storms could strain resources simultaneously.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-33 on February 9, 2026, declaring a state of emergency due to winter weather, extreme drought, and wildfire risks. The order, originally set to expire earlier in the year, has been extended through June 9, 2026.

The severity of the current season follows two consecutive years of elevated fire activity. In 2025, Florida recorded its highest total number of wildfires in a decade. In 2024, the state saw the most acres burned since 2017, according to data from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services cited by POLITICO.

Research from University of Florida fire ecologists Victoria Donovan and Carissa Wonkka indicates wildfires are becoming more frequent across the Eastern United States, particularly in wildland-urban interface areas common throughout Florida. Debris left behind by Hurricane Helene in 2024 is also adding to fuel loads across affected regions.

What's Next

The National Interagency Fire Center predicts heightened wildfire potential in Florida will persist through August 2026, extending well beyond the usual April-to-June peak. That extended timeline raises the prospect of overlapping fire and hurricane activity as the Atlantic hurricane season progresses.

Florida officials expect to file for additional federal fire management grants in the coming weeks. Individual assistance for property owners remains unavailable because a presidential major-disaster declaration has not been issued. State officials have signaled that uninsured residents should not expect direct government payouts for fire losses.