In response to the westward shift of Hurricane Irma’s projected track toward the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced the closure of three additional state forests in the to help ensure the safety of Florida residents and visitors. The grounds and all campsites, including primitive and RV, of Lake Talquin State Forest, Wakulla State Forest and Tate’s Hell State Forest are closed until further notice.
The following 30 state forests are closed and will remain closed until further notice:
- Belmore State Forest
- Big Shoals State Forest
- Carl Duval Moore State Forest
- Cary State Forest
- Charles H. Bronson State Forest
- Etoniah Creek State Forest
- Four Creeks State Forest
- Geothe State Forest
- Indian Lake State Forest
- Jennings State Forest
- John M. Beathea State Forest
- Lake George State Forest
- Lake Talquin State Forest
- Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
- Little Big Econ State Forest
- Matanzas State Forest
- Myakka State Forest
- Newnan’s Lake State Forest
- Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest
- Peace River State Forest
- Picayune Stand State Forest
- Ralph E. Simmons State Forest
- Ross Prairie State Forest
- Seminole State Forest
- Tate’s Hell State Forest
- Tiger Bay State Forest
- Twin Rivers State Forest
- Wakulla State Forest
- Welaka State Forest
- Withlacoochee State Forest
Depending on Hurricane Irma’s tract, the Florida Forest Service may close additional state forest or campgrounds. The Florida Forest Service team is in constant communication with state and local emergency operations centers.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
