Wildfire in Northern Columbia, Florida

The Sargent wildfire developed in northwest Baker county, northern Osceola National Forest on April 2, 2026 around 350 PM EDT and spread into northern Columbia county. In the beginning of May, about 1.96 inches of rain fell over the Sargent Fire. Although rain was received, there was still a lot of heat in the swamp, and the fire continued to creep and smolder. Lots of reburn occurred in varied areas. Vegetative fuels remained extremely dry, allowing for reburn to take place. On May 5th, the Sargent fire was 2,523 acres and 81% contained per the Florida Forest Service Suwannee Forestry Center. On May 12th, the fire was at 90% contained, per Florida Forest Service.

Extreme to exceptional drought, dry fuels, and breezy days triggered numerous wildfires in southeast Georgia and northeast Florida in April that continued through the month of May. Multiple rounds of beneficial rain fell across the wildfires in May which helped in the containment of local ongoing wildfires.