Wildfire risk is up. Water is scarce. The landscape across Southwest Florida is taking a real hit from the drought and the recent cold snaps. Scientists have spent years trying to predict droughts, but it’s not like tracking a hurricane or a big storm. There’s no single warning sign. By last February, the rain had faded away. Then a heat dome settled in for the summer and just stayed. The usual rainy season never came, leaving Fort Myers more than a foot short on rainfall. Now, drought covers the region.

Half of Florida’s counties have burn bans right now. That means no campfires, no burning trash, as the soil is bone dry, right down to the top eight inches.

Lee County has a Water Smart rule: water your lawn only once a week. Odd-numbered addresses get Saturdays, even numbers get Sundays. And you can only water before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., never during the heat of the day or on weekdays.

Skip raking up your grass clippings, as they act as a natural fertilizer if you leave them after mowing. Mulch helps too; it keeps moisture in, blocks weeds, and shields your plants. And don’t forget to pick up after your pets. Pet waste that washes into waterways can spark dangerous algae blooms.

“Don’t panic,” the county says. “Just follow these steps to keep your yard healthy through the dry season.”

For more information, go to the Florida Forest Service website at fdacs.gov.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis jumped in on Tuesday, signing an executive order to provide emergency help to Florida’s farmers. He made the announcement on X, pointing to last week’s winter weather and the ongoing drought as the reasons for stepping in.

Look at the numbers; about 95% of Florida sits under at least a moderate drought. The rest of the state? Still considered “abnormally dry.” And don’t expect relief soon. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these bone-dry conditions stick around through at least April.

Central and North Florida are getting hit the hardest, but South Florida isn’t off the hook. Several counties face water shortage warnings. Over in Hillsborough and the surrounding area, officials are telling residents to cut back on water use.

Outdoor watering soaks up nearly half of the water Floridians use at home, so counties are rolling out restrictions. Burn bans are popping up, too, since wildfire risk is climbing with every dry, windy day.

Flagler, Sumter, and Polk counties already have burn bans in effect. Marion County’s urging people to hold off on burning for now. Fire danger keeps rising, especially when the Keetch Byram Drought Index hits 500. That’s when things get really dangerous. More bans will probably be implemented soon, as Volusia and Lake counties are nearing this point.

And with hardly any rain on the horizon, the dry spell’s only getting worse. It’s more important than ever to watch local restrictions, avoid burning outdoors, and stay careful with anything that could spark a fire. Florida’s in for a tough stretch, and everyone’s going to need to pitch in to get through it.

The post Florida Drought Persists: February Rainfall at 25-Year Low appeared first on Englewood Review.

District officials said the region received lower-than-normal rainfall during the summer rainy season and now shows a 13-inch rainfall deficit compared to the historical 12-month average. Water levels in aquifers, rivers, and lakes continue to fall.

The Phase 1 order does not change current watering schedules. It does prohibit wasteful water use, including situations where water flows from an unattended hose. Officials said conservation is especially important as the area moves into the dry season.

Outdoor water use makes up more than half of residential consumption. The district urges homeowners to review local watering restrictions at WaterMatters.org/Restrictions to confirm the allowed days and times for lawn irrigation.

Residents are also encouraged to inspect irrigation systems and repair leaks, broken pipes, and tilted or damaged sprinkler heads. Homeowners should check their irrigation timers for accuracy and confirm that rain sensors are working as required by state law.

The district said it will continue sharing conservation guidance through its Water 101 campaign. Additional resources and tips are available on the Water 101 website.

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