Fire Danger Remains High

June 22, 2009

Officials with the Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater Forestry Center are advising the public that great caution should be used when outdoor burning, disposing of smoking materials, or any activity which could result in accidentally starting a fire.

“Every day without rain increases the chance for a wildfire. Our drought index will go above 500 today and is the highest in the state. Extremely high temperatures make it easier for a fire to start, and even though it’s summertime, there’s still plenty of fuel, in fact, we are responding to small fires in our district almost every day now,” According to Ben Wolcott, operations administrator for the Division of Forestry. “Use extra caution if burning outdoors, or wait until we’ve had some rain.”

Florida has approximately 5,000 wildfires annually which burn an average of 100,000 acres across the state, and most occur as a result of escaped debris burning or arson.

For more information about outdoor burning rules, contact the Florida Division of Forestry at 850-957-6145 or www.fl-dof.com.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News