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Commissioner Adam Putnam

Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Updated Citrus Crop Forecast, Disaster Assistance

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season:

“Florida’s citrus growers took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma and suffered unprecedented damage, which today’s forecast clearly shows.

“We’re encouraged by the USDA’s recent announcement that disaster relief is forthcoming, and I’llcontinue to work with the USDA, Governor Scott, our congressional delegation and industry representatives to make sure the disaster relief process is implemented in a way that will helpFlorida’s growers and producers get back on their feet.”

The USDA’s forecast today of 45 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season is unchanged from February’s estimate and down 9 million boxes from the 54 million boxes predicted at the start of the season. Today’s forecast represents a decline of more than 80 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-98 season.

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida citrus sustained more than $760 million in damages. In the weeks following Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott in Washington D.C to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation. In February, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a spending bill that included more than $2.3 billion for agricultural assistance.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Speak at Build Tampa Bay’s “Signing Day”

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam will speak at Build Tampa Bay’s “Signing Day” tomorrow, April 10, to address Florida high school students who are joining apprentice training programs within construction-related fields.

Event: Build Tampa Bay “Signing Day”

Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Time: 9 – 10 a.m.

Location: David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Preforming Arts
1010 N. Macinnes Place
Tampa, Fla. 33602

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that there are currently 32 active wildfires in Florida burning 27,508 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Old Blade Line, Polk County: 450 acres and 75 percent contained.

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

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.

Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Statement on USDA’s Disaster Aid Implementation

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Following U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement today that the USDA will begin implementing disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion in response to 2017 hurricanes and wildfires, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement:

“Florida agriculture took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma and has long-awaited this much-needed disaster relief. I thank Secretary Perdue for moving forward with the process to make disaster payments. We look forward to continuing to work with the USDA to ensure that this program is implemented quickly and in the best way possible to help Florida’s producers recover from the devastating hurricane.”

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that there are currently 33 active wildfires in Florida burning 33,605 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Greenway, Collier County: 17,957 and 95 percent contained.
  • Firebreak, Gulf County: 8,080 acres and 90 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.
  • Mud Dauber Road, Polk County: 139 acres and 100 percent contained.

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

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.

Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Statement on Appeal in Clemency Case

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued the following statement regarding the appeal filed in the Clemency case:

“For the federal judge to interfere at this stage and say that this process, which has been in place since 1968, is now unconstitutional is extreme. We are always looking for ways to improve it, but, as a member of the Clemency Board, my top priority is to make sure the victims have a chance to be heard.”

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that there are currently 29 active wildfires in Florida burning 33,973 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Greenway, Collier County: 17,957 and 95 percent contained.
  • Firebreak, Gulf County: 8,080 acres and 85 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.
  • Mud Dauber Road, Polk County: 200 acres and 95 percent contained. 

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

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.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that there are currently 31 active wildfires in Florida burning 34,056 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Greenway, Collier County: 17,957 and 90 percent contained.
  • Firebreak, Gulf County: 8,080 acres and 85 percent contained.
  • Airport/Context, Miami-Dade County: 517 acres and 100 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

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. 

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

Posted on

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that there are currently 41 active wildfires in Florida burning 34,539 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Greenway, Collier County: 17,957 and 90 percent contained.
  • Firebreak, Gulf County: 8,080 acres and 80 percent contained.
  • Airport/Context, Miami-Dade County: 1,037 acres and 90 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

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.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Visits Volusia County Wildfire, Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today visited the Pioneer Trail fire in Volusia County and provided an update on Florida’s wildfire activity. ThePioneer Trail fire closed a portion of I-95 until earlier this morning and is currently 205 acres and 90 percent contained.

Currently, there are 57 active wildfires in Florida burning 32,031 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Firebreak Fire, Gulf County: 8,000 acres and 25 percent contained.
  • Pioneer Trail Fire, Volusia County: 204 acres and 90 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line Fire, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.
  • Greenway Fire, Collier County: 16,876 acres and 70 percent contained.
  • Tall Pines 2 Fire, Miami-Dade County: 715 acres and 40 percent contained.
  • West Boundary Fire, Hendry County: 2,642 acres and 80 percent contained.
  • Dirt Road Fire, Miami-Dade County: 400 acres and 90 percent contained.

Additional Resources Deployed to Firebreak Fire:

  • State Firefighting Medium Bulldozers: 13
  • State Firefighting Heavy Bulldozers: 2
  • State Firefighter Fixed-Wing: 1
  • State Firefighting Super Huey Helicopter: 1

Resources Deployed to Southwest Florida:

  • State Firefighting Bulldozers: 12
  • Fire District & State Brush Trucks: 15
  • Fire District Water Tenders: 2
  • State Firefighting Super Huey Helicopter: 1
  • State Firefighter Fixed-Wing: 1

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

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.