(ETH) – Excessive heat and dry weather conditions have sparked more than a dozen wildfires across the state of Florida, resulting in the burning of property and prompting evacuations according to CNN.  Although Florida is known for having hot weather, this year has been exceptional.
Reports indicate that In April, South Florida saw June-like temperatures. According to CNN meteorologist Haley Brink, “Miami has seen 16 days with high temperatures at or above 90 degrees from January 1st through the end of April; they normally only average two 90-degree days during that point,”
In the month of April, Miami didn’t see a single day where temperatures fell below average, and more than half of the month saw temperatures at least 5 degrees above average. The city also experienced 14 days of record highs in April.
On April 20, the temperature hit 97 degrees, breaking the city’s previous all-time high of 96 degrees, which was set in 2015. The combination of this has produced wildfires, with the Florida Panhandle among the hardest-struck areas.
Last week, reports indicate that fires prompted evacuations and road closures, including sections of Interstate 10 near Pensacola. And in Walton County, the Mussett Bayou Fire destroyed multiple structures and forced officials to evacuate about 500 residents.
However, it’s not just the heat that is causing the fires, A lack of rainfall across the state of Florida has also contributing factor to the wildfires as well. Orlando and West Palm Beach are 7 inches below normal for rainfall this year and Daytona and Fort Myers are not far behind, with deficits hovering around 6 inches.
