Statements By Year

University of Florida officials are monitoring several wildfires that are burning in Alachua County and the surrounding region.

As of Monday afternoon, the University of Florida main campus nor any UF units in Alachua County or elsewhere in the state are currently threatened by any of the fires. Both fires within the City of Gainesville are nearing containment, and no homes are currently in danger, according to Gainesville Fire Rescue.

While Alachua County has declared a state of emergency to assist its wildfire operations, no public health advisories are currently in place. 

As such, no operational changes are anticipated for the UF campus in Gainesville. Should the need arise, any changes to UF’s operating status will be communicated through official channels, such as the UF Alert Emergency Notification System and the UF homepage.

Long-term, the risk of more wildfires remains high as the region is in extreme drought conditions, and will likely remain high until significant rainfall occurs. The university community is encouraged to follow guidance from local authorities regarding wildfires. To receive updates directly from Alachua County Emergency Management, Text ALACHUA to 888-777.

Below is a list of resource links:

Standing Links

• Alachua County Emergency Management – 2026 Wildfires Update
• Florida Forest Service – active wildfires map
• Florida DEP – Paynes Prairie Air Monitoring Site [Air Quality Guide]
• Waccasassa Forestry Center Facebook Page (Florida Forest Service area, which includes Alachua County and frequently posts updates on active wildfires)
• Watch Duty App – Frequently updated details regarding fires. Select the desired wildfire from the map for specifics.