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Division Of Forestry; Children, Drought And Thunderstorms Increase Fire Danger
June 7, 2011
Officials with the Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater District currently are facing a combination of factors that could lead to potentially catastrophic wildfires through the summer months.
Children – the cause of 8.5% of the district’s wildfires in 2010 – are out of school for the summer and we are in the midst of an extreme drought; combined, these two factors can create havoc for wildland firefighters. Add in the typical summer thunderstorms and the accompanying lightening and there is significant cause for concern. Crews from responded to seven fires as a result of Sunday’s thunderstorms.
“Typically, we expect afternoon thunderstorms to relieve some of the late spring drought conditions,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for Blackwater. “Without any significant rain in the past few months and no real chance in the foreseeable future, we are very concerned with the potential fire activity. In addition, fires caused by children are on the rise and we ask parents to be vigilant to help prevent this type of activity from occurring.”
Almost halfway through the calendar year, Blackwater crews have battled 163 fires that consumed more than 1,900 acres. By the same time last year, there had been only 98 fires totaling more than 1,000 acres.
The Florida Division of Forestry is reminding everyone that because of continued dryness, gusty winds, and daily temperatures in the nineties, we are seeing increased fire danger levels in all of northwest Florida, including Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Everyone living in and visiting the area is urged to be extremely aware of the potential for wildfire.
The Division of Forestry does not recommend burning at this time, however burn bans are not in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Pictured: On South Highway 99 just south of Highway 97-A near Enon, downed power lines sparked a brush fire over several acres last Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
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