Recent rain may have helped some areas of Florida, but the drought continues and wildfires continue to burn.
Visibility on some roads has been affected in some areas early May 8.
The air quality has diminished in a few counties, especially in Northeast Florida.
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Here's a look at current conditions.
Current drought conditions in Florida
TheU.S. Drought Monitoron May 5 provided the followingbreakdown on how bad the drought is in Florida:
Drought and dryness categories:
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Abnormally dry: 1.3%
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Moderate drought: 4.3%
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Severe drought: 12.4%
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Extreme drought: 56.9%
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Exceptional drought: 25.0%
Total area in drought: 98.7%,impacting 17.9 million Florida residents.
Burn bans in effect in 50 Florida counties
Burn bans are in effect in 50 of Florida's 67 counties, as of May 6.
What is a burn ban?
The Florida Forest Service tries combines allcounty-enacted burn banson its website.
A burn ban typically prohibits the outside burning of yard trash and vegetation, as well as campfires, bonfires and burn barrels, but can vary by county.
➤Current Florida fire danger map
Burn bans are issued when there's a high risk for wildfires and include such conditions as:
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prolonged drought
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low humidity
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high winds, or
What is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index?
TheFlorida Forest Serviceand U.S. Forest Service use theKeetch-Byram Drought Indexto measure the risk of wildfires based on soil moisture, how dry fuel is, and precipitation.
Thescale ranges from 0 to 800,with 0 indicating saturated soil and 800 representing extreme drought with a high potential for "intense, deep-burning fires."
Where are wildfires in Florida today?
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,between Jan. 1 and May 3in Florida:
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Acres burned: 120,515
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Number of wildfires: 1,980
Are any roads closed due to smoke?
According to theFlorida Highway Patrol, at 7 a.m. May 8, wildfires have been reported near these locations. See if they're affecting visibility:
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Putnam County: South State Road 19 at East Peniel Road near Palatka. Smoke in the area; use caution.
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Columbia County: I-75 northbound at mile marker 423 near Lake City. Use caution; possible smoke in the area.
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Alachua County: State Road 25 at Southwest 103th Avenue near Micanopy. Visibility reduced to 100 feet.
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U.S. 301 at Southeast 122nd Lane near Hawthorne. Light smoke in area but no visibility issues reported as of 4:23 a.m.
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Lafayette County: North Fletcher Avenue at East Main Street near Mayo. No visibility issues as of 3:39 a.m.
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Volusia County: Wildfire reported at Tomoka Farms Road at State Road 415 near Port Orange. No reported issues.
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Hernando County: Commercial Way at Glen Lakes Boulevard near Brooksville. Smoke in the area; use caution.
See latest reports on air quality around Florida today
Air quality in Florida May 8 ranges from good to unhealth for sensitive groups.
➤Where is smoke in Jacksonville coming from?
The worst conditions are reported in Northeast Florida in Jacksonville.
Florida weather alerts issued by National Weather Service
Interactive map: Enter your address to find closest wildfire risks
Will it rain anytime soon in Florida? See the radar
How can you conserve water while it's dry in Florida?
Here are some suggestions from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida's water management districts on how you can save water both inside and outside your home:
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Install high-efficiency showerheads, faucets and toilets.
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Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
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Use your dishwasher and washing machine only for full loads.
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Use the shortest clothes washing cycle for lightly soiled loads.
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Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units.
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Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, not under running water.
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Scrape, don’t rinse your dishes before loading in the dishwasher.
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Add mulch to reduce evaporation.
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Harvest rain to water flower beds, herb gardens and potted plants.
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Choose native plants adapted to the area and needing less water.
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Check hose and sprinkler connections for leaks.
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On slopes, plant native species that will retain water and help reduce runoff.
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Irrigate your lawn with reclaimed water.
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To find out if reclaimed water is available in your neighborhood, contact your utility company.
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Do not water the lawn in rainy weather.
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Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle when washing the car.
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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, athttps://jacksonville.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union:Florida wildfires and smoke map, locations, road closures, air quality