Drought in Inland Collier County, Florida

Precipitation totals since February were only at 25 percent of normal levels over a large portion of the Everglades and Big Cypress Reserve in eastern Collier County, with a few spots near 10% of normal in the far eastern portion of the county. Water levels at several reporting stations in the Big Cypress were at near historically low levels. The Avian wildfire complex in the Big Cypress Preserve reached up to 82,400 acres before the onset of the rainy season in mid-May put an end to the severe drought by May 22nd.

A prolonged dry spell since February continued through the middle of May, leading to lingering severe drought conditions over interior portions of South Florida. The dry conditions coupled with near-record low groundwater levels contributed to the spread of wildfires, including the Avian Complex in eastern Collier County which burned over 82,000 acres.