Intense wildfire activity continues across the Southeast as drought and wind-driven conditions accelerate fire growth. The USDA Forest Service is actively supporting state forestry agencies and local fire resources in Georgia, Florida, and across the broader region and urges the public to stay alert while working or recreating outdoors.
"The Southern Area is no stranger to challenging fire seasons, and our success has always come from the strength of our partnerships," said Shardul Raval, Southern Area Fire Director for the USDA Forest Service. "Our federal, state, Tribal, and local teams train and respond together year after year. That cooperation is invaluable."
"State forestry agencies are doing exceptional work across the South, and the Forest Service's partnership helps expand our reach when communities need it most," added Southern Group of State Foresters Fire Director Jim Prevette.
Escalating Conditions
Unseasonably warm, extraordinarily dry weather persists across the Southern Appalachians, foothills, and Piedmont. Most of the Southeast is in moderate to exceptional drought, with rainfall deficits of 8–16 inches since July 2025. Combined with dry fuels from past storms such as Helene and Kentucky's spring 2025 tornadoes and frequent west–southwest winds, the region is experiencing rapid drying and gusty fire behavior across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Conditions are similarly elevated in Texas and Oklahoma, where drought and repeated critical wind events are expected to continue into May.
Wildfires are burning well above seasonal averages. Since January, activity has surged across the Southern Area, currently tracking 20 active large fires and more than 180,000 acres burned in Florida and Georgia alone. The region moved to Preparedness Level 4 on April 23 — the second-highest level — indicating multiple large, complex incidents that may strain regional and national firefighting resources.
How the South Fights Fire—Together
What sets the South apart during a season like this is the depth and maturity of its fire partnerships. Federal crews work side-by-side with state forestry agencies, county units, Tribal fire programs, volunteer departments, and emergency managers who cross state lines as easily as they cross agency boundaries. These relationships aren't built in a crisis, they're built through years of joint training, prescribed fire operations, shared equipment, and coordinated planning across landscapes, not jurisdictions. "In the South, we don't wait for a fire to decide who's responsible, we've already decided we're in it together," said Raval. "That level of trust is why we're able to manage a season this complex."
Public Safety
Homes and structures have been affected. Residents should monitor local fire information and follow evacuation notices immediately. The Forest Service is working to contain fires on National Forest lands and support state and local partners. The Highway 82 and Pineland Fires in Georgia and the Gun Range and Hwy 41 Fires in Florida are top regional priorities; Highway 82 and Gun Range are being managed by Complex Incident Management Teams.
Aviation Safety – Drone Awareness
More than 50 aviation assets are currently assigned, supporting suppression efforts with thousands of gallons of water and retardant. The public are urged to avoid flying drones near wildfires, as they can halt aerial operations and jeopardize firefighter safety.