Protect your home from wildfires - its wildfire awareness week!

This week is Florida Wildfire Awareness week – a time for homeowners to make sure their homes are as safe as possible from wildfires.

Wildfires generally occur in the spring and early summer months due to a lack of rainfall, low humidity and strong winds. However, Florida is already experiencing a higher than average occurrence of wildfires near homes and neighborhoods.

Since January 1st, the Florida Forest Service’s firefighters have responded to more than 1,000 wildfires on 20,430 acres.

The two most frequent causes of wildfires this year are debris escaping from burn piles and arson. 

The Department of Agriculture is urging Floridians to take some simple steps to protect their homes.

Remove leaves, pine needles, twigs and palm fronds from roofs and gutters, Clear any burnable materials like wood piles and dead plants from the sides of the home and clean, mow and water the area 30 feet around your home to prevent leading wildfires from the woods to your door.

Also use extra caution when doing anything that can cause a spark to fly into dry vegetation, never leave a fire unattended and if you and if you see any suspicious wildfire activity call the Department’s Arson Alert Hotline 1-800-342-5869.

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