Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Florida Forest Service

Florida Forest Service

Florida Forest Service Provides Update, Releases App

Posted on

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 throughout the state. Dry conditions and gusty winds have led to erratic and dangerous wildfire activity recently, threatening homes and endangering the public. Dangerous wildfire conditions are expected to continue to increase over the next few months.
“Florida’s wildland firefighters are prepared to battle increasingly hazardous wildfires due to abnormally dry and windy conditions,” 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.”
On Sunday, the Florida Forest Service responded to 26 new wildfires that impacted several Florida communities and burned more than 2,500 acres. Two significant fires in Lee County yesterday impacted residents in more than 120 homes. Of the homes impacted, the Florida Forest Service and its partners saved 115 homes. One home was destroyed and six were damaged but were not destroyed. In Miami, the Trail Fire has so far burned more than 740 acres. Crews are working diligently to contain the fire and minimize smoke impacts to the surrounding community. Motorists in wildfire-affected areas should also exercise caution. To see the locations of all active wildfires in Florida, the public may download the “FLBurnTools” app in Apple’s App Store or on Google Play.
The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • 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.

“When citizens are careful with fire, they are doing more than just protecting themselves and their property,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “They are helping to protect the lives of Florida’s wildland firefighters and first responders.”
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 Releases New Fire Information App

Posted on

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service today announced the release of “FLBurnTools,” a new mobile app to inform the public about drought, wildfire danger and wildfire activity. Prescribed burn practitioners can also use the app to plan and submit authorization requests. The “FLBurnTools” app is now available in both Apple’s App Store and on Google Play.
“By providing Floridians with better access to the latest wildfire information, we can help protect people, wildlife and property,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Residents can now see real-time conditions in their area and take the appropriate safety precautions.”
The Florida Forest Service’s prescribed fire program is a nationwide leader, treating more than 2.1 million acres last year and providing approximately 88,000 burn authorizations annually. In addition to administering Florida’s prescribed fire program, the Florida Forest Service responds to wildfires during Florida’s year-round wildfire season. Last year, more than 2,100 wildfires burned 53,476 acres in Florida.
The “FLBurnTools” app provides the following tools:

  • Drought information
  • Interactive fire maps
  • Wildfire information
  • Burning authorization requests
  • Smoke dispersion models
  • Spot weather forecasts

“Wildfire activity is on the rise and wildfire danger is expected to increase greatly in the coming months,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “Floridians equipped with the ‘FLBurnTools’ app can view the locations of nearby wildfires and see up-to-date drought and wildfire danger information.”
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.

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Tour East Polk County Fire, Discuss Heightened Wildfire Danger Across Florida

Posted on

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will be in Polk County Friday morning to tour the Highway 630 fire, which has burned approximately 2,000 acres in the Indian Lake Estates area, and discuss heightened wildfire danger across the state. Commissioner Putnam and the Florida Forest Service will be available to media to discuss ongoing efforts at the Highway 630 Fire as well as wildfire conditions.
Event: Media availability with Commissioner Adam H. Putnam
Date: Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Indian Lake Estates Golf & Country Club
95 Red Grange Boulevard
Indian Lake Estates, Florida
Forecasts predict hotter and drier conditions than normal throughout the state in the coming months, and wildfires are anticipated to increase throughout the state due to these conditions.
There are more than 50 active wildfires currently burning throughout Florida. Since January, the Florida Forest Service and its partners have responded to more than 466 wildfires that burned more than 9,400.
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 invites teachers to apply for forestry tour

Posted on

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service announced today an exciting summer learning opportunity for Florida’s educators.  The Florida Forestry Teachers’ Tour will bring 45 teachers from across the state to Fernandina Beach to learn how forestry works in Florida while earning 30 Continuing Education Units. Applications are due Friday, March 10, and the event will be held June 20-23.
“This four-day event immerses teachers in the collaborative forestry effort to keep Florida’s forests healthy, renewable and sustainable for future generations,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Participating teachers will experience all aspects of forestry practices, from the planting and growing processes to the mills and final products. They will also learn how the forestry industry addresses environmental concerns and how foresters work to meet the needs of Florida’s communities and the environment. All lodging, meals and tour transportation are provided.
“The Florida Forestry Teachers’ Tour enables teachers to engage in the social, technical, economic and ecological aspects of sustainable forestry in Florida, providing a wealth of diverse, hands-on experience to bring back to the classroom,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester.
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 Celebrates Florida’s Arbor Day, Encourages Communities to Become Tree City USA Certified

Posted on

To celebrate Florida’s Arbor Day on Friday, Jan. 20, the Florida Forest Service will join communities throughout the state in several tree planting projects, tree seedling giveaways and forestry education activities to highlight the benefits of trees. Florida’s Arbor Day is held each year on the third Friday in January. A list of Florida’s Arbor Day festivities in your area can be found on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ events calendar.
“Florida’s Arbor Day is about highlighting the countless ways trees make Florida a special place to live,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I am proud of our forest rangers who not only maintain 1 million acres throughout Florida’s 37 state forests, but also educate communities about the importance of trees.”
In Florida, 173 communities have taken a proactive role managing trees and are recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as official Tree City USA communities.
“The Tree City USA program is a great way for communities, large or small, to come together to manage and expand their public trees,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “This Arbor Day, we encourage all Florida communities to work with their local county forester to become official Tree City USA communities.”
Communities can achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management, including: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
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