Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, his fellow Cabinet members and Governor Scott today presented Keith Mousel of the Florida Forest Service with the Resource Manager of the Year award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to protecting Florida’s natural resources. Since 1988, Mousel has worked diligently to conserve native state lands with prescribed fire, to improve recreational activities in state forests, and to maintain natural habitats by controlling invasive species. [Read more…] about Governor and Cabinet Recognize Florida Forest Service Employee as Natural Resource Manager of the Year
Florida Forest Service
Florida Forest Service to Host Operation Outdoor Freedom Purple Heart Day Event, Tract Dedication
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Florida Forest Service will host a Purple Heart Day event for Purple Heart recipients and their families in recognition of Purple Heart Day tomorrow. To honor these heroes, the 4,500-acre Prairie Tract on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest will be dedicated as a Purple Heart Tract. [Read more…] about Florida Forest Service to Host Operation Outdoor Freedom Purple Heart Day Event, Tract Dedication
Florida Forest Service Sends 20 Firefighters to Help Suppress Wildfire in Sierra National Forest
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service has deployed a Type 2 Initial Attack Hand-Crew of 20 firefighters to help suppress the Ferguson Fire on the Sierra National Forest in California. The 36,500-acre wildfire began on July 13. [Read more…] about Florida Forest Service Sends 20 Firefighters to Help Suppress Wildfire in Sierra National Forest
Commissioner Adam Putnam Announces Cause of Eastpoint Wildfire
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that, following an investigation led by his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, a prescribed burn conducted by Wildland Fire Services, Inc. on behalf of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission caused the wildfire in Eastpoint, which burned more than 800 acres and destroyed 36 homes. [Read more…] about Commissioner Adam Putnam Announces Cause of Eastpoint Wildfire
Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Franklin County Wildfire
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam issued the following update on the Lime Rock Road Fire in Franklin County:
Lime Rock Road Fire (Franklin County):
- Approximately 950 acres and 80 percent contained.
- Approximately 38 structures destroyed. Law enforcement officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as well as the State Fire Marshall’s office will assess structure loss and damage today.
- Approximately 25 Florida Forest Service personnel are on scene with 7 dozers and 5 engines.
- The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by this devastating wildfire as well as the entire Franklin County community. First responders from across the region sprang into action and rushed to the scene of this fast-moving wildfire, helping to prevent even more destruction. Florida has a year-round wildfire season, and I encourage Floridians to be vigilant,” said Commissioner Adam Putnam.
The Florida Forest Service urges 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. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Florida Forest Service Announces Long Leaf Pine Program for Landowners
The Florida Forest Service announced today that the Longleaf Pine Landowner Incentive Program is now accepting applications from eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners. Applications will be accepted now through Friday, July 13, 2018.
The goal of the program is to increase the acreage of healthy Longleaf pine ecosystems in Florida by helping non-industrial private forest landowners make the long-term investment required to establish and maintain this valuable ecosystem. The program offers incentive payments for completion of timber stand improvement, invasive species control, prescribed burning, planting Longleaf pine, native plant understory establishment and mechanical underbrush treatments. The program is offered for private lands in Florida counties located west of the Aucilla River and several counties near the Ocala National Forest.
Longleaf pine forests are native to the southeastern United States and are among the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Longleaf pines provide high quality wood products and are highly valued for their resistance to damage by insects, disease, wildfire and storms. Longleaf pine forests have been dramatically reduced to less than four percent of historical area due to urbanization and conversion to other land uses. Florida is currently home to more than 2 million acres of Longleaf pine ecosystems, which is more than half of all known longleaf pine ecosystems.
Application forms and more information on program requirements and procedures can be found by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com or by contacting your local county forester. The program is supported through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with funding from the Southern Company, USDA Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, Natural Resource Conservation Service, US Department of Defense, Halliburton Company, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
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.
Florida Forest Service Accepting Applications to Help Landowners Combat Devastating Southern Pine Beetle
Eligible counties for Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program
To help combat the invasive Southern Pine Beetle, which is currently present in 52 infestation sites throughout six Florida counties, the Florida Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2018 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program from non-industrial, private forest landowners through June 29, 2018. The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties, the known range of the southern pine beetle.
The southern pine beetle is one of the most economically devastating forest pests of the southeast, with periodic outbreaks leading to deaths of millions of pine trees. In 2017, 260 SPB infestations were reported in Florida, killing trees on 1,768 acres. This pales in comparison to the last major outbreaks between 1999 and 2002, which caused an estimated $59 million in timber losses. Since it was first offered in 2005, the program has been implemented on more than 183,000 acres and helped thousands of landowners.
“These small infestations average less than an acre now, but they have the ability to expand rapidly this time of year,” said Jim Karels, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “It’s imperative that we remain vigilant to keep this invasive pest at bay.”
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, supported through a grant by the United States Forest Service, provides incentive payments for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning and offers partial cost reimbursement for activities, such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than the loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species. Qualified landowners can apply for up to two different practices per year, and funding requests may not exceed $10,000. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
To obtain an application or to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, click here.
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 Warns Floridians of Increased Wildfire Activity
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are urging the public to be careful with fire and all potential heat sources due to increased wildfire danger levels in South Florida and throughout the state. Last week, 56 wildfires burned 3,780 acres, including the 600-acre Micco Shrub Fire that shut down I-95 for several hours due to smoke and low visibility.
“Our wildland firefighters will likely battle a steady increase of wildfires in the coming weeks as the dry and windy conditions continue,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Citizens can do their part by keeping preventable human-caused wildfires at bay and preparing their families and homes for wildfire.”
Since January, approximately 1,325 wildfires have burned 74,427 acres in Florida. Motorists in wildfire-affected areas should exercise extreme caution. To access real-time prescribed burn and wildfire conditions, Floridians can download the “FLBurnTools” app in Apple’s App Store or on Google Play.
“When citizens are careful with fire, they are doing more than just protecting themselves and their property,” said Jim Karels, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “They are helping to protect the lives of Florida’s wildland firefighters and first responders.”
The Florida Forest Service urges residents to be cautious 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. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
Florida Forest Service to Send 20 Additional Firefighters to Battle Oklahoma Wildfire
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service will deploy an additional 20 wildland firefighters as an Initial Attack Hand Crew to help battle a 247,000-acre wildfire in Northwest Oklahoma. The Incident Management Team of 28 wildland firefighters that deployed to Oklahoma last week has been reassigned to assist with this fire as well.
“Our wildland firefighters are part of the national firefighting community and integral to the wildfire suppression efforts in Oklahoma,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “We are committed to protecting lives, homes and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire both at home and across the country.”
The Initial Attack Hand Crew will assist with front-line firefighting for Oklahoma’s Rhea Fire burning 247,000 acres. They will use specialized hand tools to manually create a fire break or fire line around wildfire perimeter to contain the boundaries of the wildfire.
“Thanks to Florida’s currently lowered wildfire danger levels, we are able to continue to provide resources for our Oklahoma partners in need,” said Florida Forest Service Director and State Forester Jim Karels.
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
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that there are currently 21 active wildfires in Florida burning 26,958 acres.
Significant Wildfires/Updates:
- An Incident Command Management Team of 28 wildland firefighters is joining the wildfire suppression efforts in Oklahoma.
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.
