The Brief
- Severe drought conditions across the Tampa Bay area have sparked a rash of wildfires, leading to multiple property losses and local school cancelations.
- All Bay Area counties are currently under a mandatory burn ban. Outdoor burning of any kind—including yard waste and trash—is strictly prohibited.
- Lingering smoke from a wildfire in the Starkey Ranch area forced Pasco County Schools to cancel classes at River Ridge Middle and high schools on Wednesday.
TAMPA – Florida is currently facing an elevated fire risk driven by months of unusually dry weather and a recent historic freeze that left vegetation “crunchy” and highly flammable.
According to the Florida Forest Service, active wildfires have been reported in every Bay Area county this week.
While a fire in the Starkey Ranch area is now 100-percent contained, the smoke it generated was significant enough to prompt delays for student safety.
By the numbers
- $500: The fine (plus potential jail time and fire suppression costs) for violating mandatory burn bans in many Florida counties.
- 678: Total fire alerts reported across Florida between January 31 and February 7, 2026, signaling a significant uptick in statewide fire activity.
- 30+: The number of illegal burns North Port officials have already responded to since their burn ban was enacted.
- 10 Acres: The size of a brush fire in North Port (Sarasota County) on February 1–2, 2026, which was ignited by a single grill spark and led to temporary closures on I-75.
- 5 Acres: The size of a fast-moving brush fire in Lithia on February 9, 2026, that destroyed an RV and an abandoned mobile home.
What they’re saying:…