Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson highlighted new findings from a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study demonstrating that Florida’s forest industry supported more than 103,000 jobs and generated nearly $29 billion in total economic output in 2023, reinforcing the industry’s vital role in the state’s economy and rural communities. Learn more: tinyurl.com/2s3mzb22

Florida’s next great chef could be cooking up a healthier school lunch.🍏 FDACS is now accepting entries for Florida Future Chef 2026, a statewide competition for students ages 8-12 to create healthy school meal recipes using Florida-grown ingredients. Entries close July 13. Read more: tinyurl.com/29v7vpcz

Florida’s already active fire season likely will extend further into the summer, according to @NIFC_Fire outlooks. Florida’s peak wildfire season usually encompasses April to June. Unfortunately, the state is expected to see more above-average wildfire potential in July & August.

'ARSON ALERT': Comm. Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are calling for public vigilance during Arson Awareness Week @WiltonSimpson: "We are committed to bringing arsonists to justice.” flvoicenews.com/simpson-florid…

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are reminding Floridians how they can help report suspicious fire activity in Florida’s wildlands and forests during Arson Awareness Week, May 3-9, 2026. Learn more: tinyurl.com/y559yy24

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Ernie Barnett as the recipient of the 2026 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Learn more: tinyurl.com/4j8czby5

Despite recent rains, drought continues to plague Florida as the peak of wildfire season looms. 48 of our 67 counties have declared a county-wide burn ban as May begins. FFS is urging everyone to follow any county-imposed burn ban, which prohibits unauthorized outdoor burning.

🚨 Arrest Made in Fraud Investigation Involving Boat Manufacturer

Remembering Jason Norman Florida Forest Service Forest Ranger Jason Norman, a dedicated public servant and fixture of the agency for over two decades, passed away Saturday due to a medical emergency. Please keep his family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issues emergency rule to further protect Florida from threat of new world screwworm. 🪱🪰 Read more: fdacs.gov/News-Events/Pr…

Senior National Correspondent @JMichaelsNews is on the ground in Levy County as Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson provides an urgent update on more than 100 wildfires currently burning across the state:

🚫 If You Fly, We Can’t 🚫 One critical part of a successful firefighting operation is making sure the skies are clear for firefighting aircraft. Help protect those working to keep our communities safe – “If You Fly, We Can’t.”

We’re on the ground in Clay and Putnam Counties today as we continue to work with our local and federal partners to combat dangerous wildfires fires in the region. I am incredibly grateful to Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan and his team, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook and Fire Chief Mock for their continued work. We all appreciate Governor DeSantis and Director Guthrie for their support as we all work to keep Floridians safe during these fires.

WATCH LIVE: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service hold press conference in Clay County to provide an update on current wildfires in the area and across the state. FDACS FB Live: facebook.com/share/v/18SVNL… Via The Florida Channel: thefloridachannel.org

🚩New Red Flag Warnings in Effect🚩 Drought conditions, low humidity, and winds have led @NWS to issue Red Flag Warnings for most inland regions in northeast, central & southwest Florida. Officials do not recommend any outdoor burning. 38 Florida counties have current burn bans

🔥4:30 p.m. Update🔥 Crews Road Fire: 2,000 acres; 5% containment Railroad Complex Fire: 1,000; 5% Airtankers made fire-retardant drops Monday while newly arrived “Super Scooper” aircraft collected and dropped water from the St. John’s River. FFS Bell 212 copters also on scene.

🚩Red Flag Warning🚩 Drought conditions, low humidity and winds have led @NWS to issue Red Flag Warnings for most of North Florida today and much of Central and Southwest Florida tomorrow. Officials do not recommend any outdoor burning; 32 Florida counties have current burn bans.

A large wildfire is affecting two FFS districts at 2,700 acres along the eastern border of Putnam & Clay counties. North in Clay County, the Crews Road Fire is 1,700 acres with 0% containment. South in Putnam County, the Railroad Complex Fire is 1,000 acres and 5% containment.

RT @FLSERT: 🚨 4/20: Red Flag Warnings are in effect across much of North Florida until 8PM due to dry & windy wildfire conditions. This m…

4/20/26 8AM ET 🔥🚩⚠️ Very low relative humidity following a mostly dry frontal passage will make for the most critical fire day of this prolonged stretch. Red Flag Warning in effect areawide. Hourly RH/gusts are attached. Please avoid any outdoor burning! #FLwx #GAwx #ALwx