‘Exceptional drought,’ escalating wildfire risks, air quality remain top concerns
By Katie Garner
Published on April 27, 2026.
The drought in Jacksonville, Florida, is worsening, with "exceptional" conditions on the drought monitor, particularly from Macclenny down into Jacksonville, and pockets of "extreme drought" in the lighter red zones. The rainfall deficit in Jacksonville is over 25 inches, and between 15 and 20 inches from Brunswick to Waycross, where the worst fire threats are located. The fire danger is high, with some fires not well-contained and wind gusts expected to drive these fires. The air quality is moderate, but thick smoke is present near active fires, particularly affecting asthma, COPD, and emphysema. The top priority for News4JAX is safety.
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