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Dry conditions fueling brush fire threat
Lingering smoke continues on Wednesday morning as the Pasco County School District says they are canceling classes at River Ridge Middle School and high school. FOX 13's Kellie Cowan reports.
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.
READ: Starkey area fire delays start times of 2 Pasco County schools
What they're saying:
District Chief Dave Ingalls of North Port Fire Rescue warns that the community is already "behind the eight-ball" this fire season.
"We're still running calls every day of people burning in their yards, burning illegally, burning trash, burning yard debris. So, hopefully this is an eye-opener for some of them that the potential for a serious call is imminent."
Ingalls noted that the current dry spell is unusual for this time of year, with burn bans typically not appearing until late winter. A burn ban has been in place in his district since November. Ingalls emphasized that even everyday activities can become deadly.
"It just takes a spark, a cigarette, somebody parking in tall grass, their catalytic converters, the grass is crunchy and it’s dry. Just a small spark can turn into something serious for the entire neighborhood," he said.
The backstory:
The recent rash of fires has already caused significant property damage. On Tuesday, a brush fire in Spring Hill torched two cars and a shed.
On Monday, Hillsborough County crews battled separate blazes in Seffner and Lithia that threatened homes.
In Crystal River, a two-acre fire was sparked Tuesday specifically because someone violated the active burn ban, according to officials.
Drought conditions mean that fire rescue resources are being stretched thin across the region. When residents ignore burn bans, they risk not only their own property but the lives of neighbors and first responders.
High-intensity fires can also impact air quality and road visibility, as seen with the recent school delays in New Port Richey.
READ: Bartow fire that burned nearly 200 acres, closed portion of Highway 640 is under investigation
What's next:
The burn bans will remain in effect until the region receives significant, sustained rainfall. Residents are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, avoid parking vehicles on dry grass, and report any signs of smoke or fire immediately.
While outdoor grilling is currently permitted, it must be done on a contained grill that is attended to at all times.
The Source: Information for this report was gathered from Florida Forest Service wildfire activity maps, emergency notifications from Pasco County Schools, and fire incident reports from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and North Port Fire Rescue.