Forestry Officials Warn Of Fire Danger As Dry Weather Persists

May 27, 2019

It’s been nearly two weeks since the last appreciable rainfall hit much of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties and officials with the Florida’s Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are keeping a wary eye on the weather and the potential for significant wildfires.

While Florida has a year-round wildfire season, it peaks every year between late March and early June and there is a history of large fires in this area surrounding Memorial Day.

On May 25, 2013, a wildfire broke out near Giese Lane in west Pensacola. The 200-acre fire took nine tractor/plow units, multiple aircraft and dozens of fire department apparatus to stop. The fire threatened multiple homes, forced evacuations and closed Dog Track Road, Blue Angel Parkway, US 98 and multiple other secondary roads on a busy holiday weekend.

A similar weather pattern of dry, hot air has established itself in recent weeks and is forecast to continue with no significant chance for rainfall in the forecast.

Despite no significant increases in fires recently, Blackwater officials are urging residents not to burn until rainfall.

“People want to get some work done in the yard, we understand,” said David Smith, operations administrator for the Blackwater Forestry Center. “It’s hot, it’s dry and there is a very real potential for big wildfires right now so we’re just asking them to hold off.”

Pictured: A May 2018 wildfire near Weller Avenue in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “Forestry Officials Warn Of Fire Danger As Dry Weather Persists”

  1. Sedition on May 27th, 2019 5:55 am

    Yep…I have plenty that I need to burn, but better safe than sorry. No burning until after a decent rainfall.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News