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Wildfire Update

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Wildfire Update for Florida

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service announced today that 2,273 wildfires have burned over 171,000 acres in Florida this year, with 125 active wildfires burning as of today, May 22, 2017. Current conditions by county, burn bans and helpful tips regarding wildfires in Florida can be found here.
“Even with rain across parts of Florida over the weekend, much of the state is experiencing drought conditions and elevated wildfire danger,” Commissioner Adam H. Putnam said. “Residents and visitors need to pay attention to and comply with local burn bans and should take every precaution to help prevent wildfire.”
Conditions are forecast to get even drier and warmer into late spring and early summer. May is traditionally one of the driest months of the year in Florida, and that is the expectation for 2017. Commissioner Putnam asked Governor Scott to issue an executive order on April 11, 2017 in order to provide full resources to combat wildfires. The last time a similar executive order was issued was in June 2011.
Forecast wildfire danger for May 22, 2017:

Active wildfires in Florida:

County burn bans:

Wildfires in Florida usually start and spread quickly, leaving little time to prepare for a possible evacuation. Homeowners can complete a few simple tasks that will help to defend their home against wildfire. One of the best ways to reduce a home’s wildfire risk is to create 30 feet of defensible space around the home. When creating defensible space, begin with the area immediately surrounding the home, about 3 feet out on all sides. Make sure this space is free of tall, fire-prone plants and materials. Keep this area clean and free of dead plant material and flammable mulches. Instead, opt for low growing, fire resistant plants and materials and use mulches, such as rocks or chunky bark. Deliberately space all plants so that none are placed directly under windows or vents around the house.
To increase home survivability, Floridians can do the following:

  • Keep mulch and pine needles away from your home, fence, and deck;
  • Keep roof and gutter free of pine needles;
  • Keep flammables away from your home;
  • Store fire wood at least 30 feet from your home;
  • Remove dead vegetation and debris from under the deck and within 10 feet of your home; and
  • Make wildfire preparedness a family project.

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

Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Wildfire Update for Florida

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and the Florida Forest Service announced today that more than 2,000 wildfires have burned over 150,000 acres in Florida this year, with nearly 125 active wildfires burning as of today, May 8, 2017. Current conditions by county, burn bans, and helpful tips regarding wildfires in Florida can be found here.
“Florida is in the middle of its worst wildfire season in years – with no end in sight,” Commissioner Putnam said. “With such an active wildfire season and much of Florida experiencing significant drought conditions, residents and visitors should take every precaution to help prevent wildfire.”
Conditions are forecast to get even drier and warmer into late spring and early summer. May is traditionally one of the driest months of the year in Florida, and that is the expectation for 2017. Commissioner Putnam asked Governor Scott to issue an executive order on April 11, 2017 in order to provide full resources to combat wildfires. The last time a similar executive order was issued was in June 2011.
Forecast wildfire danger for May 8, 2017:

Active wildfires in Florida:

County Burn Bans as of May 5, 2017:

Wildfires in Florida usually start and spread quickly, leaving little time to prepare for a possible evacuation. Homeowners can complete a few simple tasks that will help to defend their home against wildfire. One of the best ways to reduce a home’s wildfire risk is to create 30 feet of defensible space around the home. When creating defensible space, begin with the area immediately surrounding the home, about 3 feet out on all sides. Make sure this space is free of tall, fire-prone plants and materials. Keep this area clean and free of dead plant material and flammable mulches. Instead, opt for low growing, fire resistant plants and materials and use mulches, such as rocks or chunky bark. Deliberately space all plants so that none are placed directly under windows or vents around the house.
To increase home survivability, Floridians can do the following:

  • Keep mulch and pine needles away from your home, fence, and deck;
  • Keep roof and gutter free of pine needles;
  • Keep flammables away from your home;
  • Store fire wood at least 30 feet from your home;
  • Remove dead vegetation and debris from under the deck and within 10 feet of your home; and
  • Make wildfire preparedness a family project.

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

Collier County Wildfire Update

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The Florida Forest Service continues to battle the Lee Williams Road Fire in Collier County. The fire is approximately 6,500 acres and is 30 percent contained.
“Our firefighters worked through the evening to continue the efforts to contain and suppress the fire in Collier County. We’ll continue to work with our partnering agencies, and may we keep these first responders in our prayers,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Lee Williams Road Fire March 8, 2017 Morning Update
Location: Picayune Strand State Forest in Naples, Florida
Acreage: 6,500 approximately
Fire Started: Sunday 3/5/17: 2 pm
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 30%
Weather: Winds are coming out of the East and forecasted to shift out of the South
Night Operations:

Winds died down and relative humidity increased allowing firefighters an opportunity to gain access closer to the wildfire as fire activity decreased. State firefighting bulldozers constructed containment lines up to fifty feet in width paralleling and anchored into I-75.
Long range spotting, up to one-half mile, were anticipated and mitigated by firefighters stationed on the Northside of I-75. One spot fire was detected at the Naples Landfill and quickly contained at one acre. Florida Forest Service’s firefighting bulldozers quickly encircling the wildfire with a dirt containment line which allows the wildfire to burn itself out.  State Firefighting bulldozers established firebreaks behind the RV Parks and horse stables while structure firefighters patrolled the perimeter while also protecting structures.
The fire is holding at County Road 951 which allowed for the road closures to be lifted this morning, although intermittent closures may take place throughout the day.
Today:
Tactics today include structural defense and keeping the wildfire south of I-75 and east of County Road 951.
Mandatory Evacuations:
Evacuations were lifted for the Forest Glen community and the Aventine at Naples Apartments.
There are mandatory evacuations for the Club Naples RV Park, Panther Walk RV Park and Horse Stables in the Picayune Strand State Forest including Triple V and M & H Stables. If asked to evacuate your home, be sure to bring your important family documents (birth certificates, wills, insurance policies), valuables and your family disaster supply kit. Your disaster supply kit should contain enough food, water and supplies to sustain your family for at least three days. Do not forget any medications or special items such as a first aid kit.
Shelter:
A shelter has been established at the Golden Gate Community Center at 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, FL.
Road Closures (Due to smoke and poor visibility)

  • I-75 is closed mile marker 80 to mile marker 105 (both sides)
  • Intermittent road closures on County Road 951 (Collier Boulevard) between Golden Gate and Rattlesnake Hammock may be throughout the day

Resources on Scene
The Florida Forest Service Interagency Management Red Team has arrived this morning to transition command from local resources to allow local responders the ability to focus suppress efforts on new wildfires.
Agencies on Scene:

Florida Forest Service, Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services, West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department, Immokalee Fire Control District, City of Naples Fire-Rescue, Greater Naples Fire District, Marco Island Fire Department, North Collier Fire District, Collier County Emergency Medical Services, Collier County Sheriff, Punta Gorda Fire Department, Big Cypress National Park, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Florida Highway Patrol, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Rukaree Bay National Wildlife Research.
More information and updates are available on the Collier County website, www.colliergov.net. A call center has been established (239) 252-8444.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.