Commissioner Putnam Urges Floridians to Exercise Caution During Florida’s Wildfire Awareness Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Aaron Keller
April 8, 2016	(850) 617-7737 Twitter: @FDACSNews
Commissioner Putnam Urges Floridians to Exercise Caution During Florida’s Wildfire Awareness Week TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are asking citizens to exercise caution with all outdoor fires during Florida’s Wildfire Awareness Week, April 10-16. Since January, nearly 800 wildfires have burned more than 13,500 acres in Florida. Most of these fires were caused by people. “Wildfire Awareness Week is an important reminder of the devastating effect wildfires can have on our communities and natural resources,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Wildfire activity in Florida increases during the spring, so it is especially important that Floridians exercise caution in the coming months.” Wildfire Awareness Week was created in recognition of Florida’s devastating 1998 wildfire season, when more than half a million acres burned and 337 structures were damaged or destroyed by wildfires. The most frequent causes of wildfires during this time of year are uncontrolled yard waste fires and unauthorized debris burns. The Florida Forest Service is reminding citizens that authorizations are required for all burn piles larger than 8 feet in diameter and broadcast acreage burns. Citizens should adhere to the following outdoor fire safety requirements: ·         Call before you burn to obtain an authorization; ·         Make sure your burn meets Florida’s required setbacks; ·         Never leave a fire unattended; ·         Never burn on windy days or when humidity is below 30 percent; ·         Keep a water source and suppression equipment on hand; and ·         Completely extinguish the fire before leaving it. “Fortunately, extra rainfall has helped keep many recent wildfires small and manageable,” said Florida State Forester Jim Karels. “However, conditions can change quickly and drastically in Florida, so it is important that Floridians understand their critical role in helping to prevent wildfires.” The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than one million acres of public forest land while protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. To learn more about Florida Forest Service programs, visit FloridaForestService.com For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visitFreshFromFlorida.com  ###

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