National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists across Florida are warning of increased fire risk on Monday amid dry, windy conditions, and Palm Beach, where President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is located, is included in the risk area.
Newsweek reached out to a representative at Mar-a-Lago via email for comment.
The Context
Wildfire season runs year-round in Florida, though it peaks from late spring through summer when drought is most widespread.
So far this year, 745 fires have ignited across the state, burning more than 15,700 acres of land. As of Monday morning, there are five active fires burning in Florida, according to a wildfire map from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate has a 62,000-square-foot perimeter, which makes it the 22nd largest house in the United States—larger than the White House. The president splits his time between there and the White House and his property portfolio in New York City.
What To Know
Mar-a-Lago is located in Palm Beach County, Florida, on the state’s eastern coast. As of Monday morning, the county was under a red flag warning.
Red flag warnings are issued to alert people of increased fire danger in the area. Strong winds and low relative humidity contributed to the danger on Monday.
The NWS office in Miami, which services the Palm Beach area, said northwest winds are blowing between 10 and 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. The relative humidity is as low as 25 percent. Temperatures up to 76 degrees Fahrenheit are expected.
The office warned that fires could “spread rapidly.”
Of the five active wildfires, none are burning in Palm Beach County.
Red flag warnings were in place across much of the rest of the United States on Monday, as well. In addition to those in Florida, the warnings stretched from South Dakota south to Texas and from New Mexico east to Illinois.
In the Palm Beach area, NWS meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez told Newsweek that this is the first red flag warning since January 2023.
“It’s not very common at all for this area,” she said.
Joe Raedle/Getty
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez told Newsweek: “For South Florida, we usually have dry season and wet season. We are currently in our dry season. There are drier air conditions where fires can be more likely. However, it doesn’t always mean there’s going to be a red flag warning.”
NWS Miami, in a red flag warning issued on Monday: “Any fires that develop could spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”
What Happens Next
The red flag warning is in place for Palm Beach from noon to 8 p.m. local time on Monday.
