Why the Southeast is burning – extreme drought is only part of the reason

The southeastern US has been in drought for months. With the wind and unusually low humidity, it’s facing perfect conditions for wildfires spreading.

By: Zachary Handlos, Georgia Institute of Technology, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 23, 2026

Words: 778

Last Updated: 3 months ago

By Zachary Handlos, Georgia Institute of Technology

Large parts of the southeastern U.S. are in the midst of an exceptional drought, and it is fueling dozens of wildfires in Florida and Georgia.

One of those wildfires, in southeastern Georgia’s Brantley County, had damaged about 90 homes, was threatening hundreds more, and had spread to more than 20,000 acres by April 26, 2026. Another fire near the Georgia-Florida border had

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