Florida now in ‘extreme’ drought, feeding rampant wildfires.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017, 1:28 – About two-thirds of Florida and most of southern Georgia are in a drought, according to latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The agency upgraded areas north of Lake Okeechobee in to the "extreme" drought level, with officials warning for the potential of serious crop loss in that region.
In mid-April, a water shortage warning was issued to 8.1 million residents from Orlando to the Florida Keys.
Officials continue to encourage residents and visitors to be mindful of water usage and implement water conservation practices until conditions improve.
RELATED: Schools close as smoke billows from Pasco County, FL, fire "The warning is a proactive step toward increasing water awareness and conservation for the entire district,” district executive director Noah Valenstein said in an inter view with News4Jax.
The chance for rain in Florida’s near future is looking quite dim, with no significant relief in the next 7 to 10 days.
Wildfires and Drought As a result of the drought, wildfires have been spreading rampantly this year.
Predictive Services with the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise forecast that the state will have above normal Significant Wildland Fire Potential throughout the rest of May and into June.
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