Forest Service Monitoring Weekend Fire Weather Conditions

May 26, 2012

Officials with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are keeping a close eye on weather conditions this weekend as several factors are emerging that could pose an elevated risk of wildfire.

An increased drought level along with a decreased relative humidity for the next few days has prompted officials to increase staffing and preposition equipment and personnel to better respond to any potential wildfires.

“With the weather conditions what they are – not much rain recently, dry air coming in and increased drought levels – and higher than usual amounts of traffic on the roads for the holiday, we are taking steps to make sure our response time is what it needs to be if we get a call,” said David Smith, operations administrator for the Blackwater District, which in includes Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Residents are urged to use extreme caution and follow all laws if they decide to burn yard debris. Start any burning early before the afternoon sea breeze kicks in and make sure your fire is completely out – no heat, no smoke – before it is left unattended.

Comments

One Response to “Forest Service Monitoring Weekend Fire Weather Conditions”

  1. Jane on May 26th, 2012 7:32 am

    No big deal to wait to burn for a little while and hopefully some rain will come our way. Not worth risking a fire, which spreads so fast you have no time to control it.

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