This week is Florida Wildfire Awareness week.

            This week is Florida Wildfire Awareness week.

Florida began wildlife awareness week after the fire season in 1998, when wildfires raged across Florida burning more than 500,000 acres, damaging or destroying 337 homes and structures.

Spring is the most active fire time during Florida’s year-round wildfire season.

Typical dry, windy weather makes even the smallest spark potentially hazardous.

So far this year forestry officials have responded to nearly 630 wildfires on over 6900 acres, most caused by human carelessness.

If you are doing outdoor burns this time of year make sure to first check with local city or county officials to see if there are any burn restrictions in the area.

Make sure to get an authorization from the Florida Forest Service for burn piles greater than 8 feet in diameter..

Never leave a fire unattended, and keep a shovel and water hose handy in case the fire starts to escape.

And if you and if you see any suspicious wildfire activity – you should report it to the Florida Arson Alert Hotline at 1-800-342-5869. 

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