Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for wildfires

wildfires

Commissioner Adam Putnam Visits Collier County Wildfires

Posted on

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today visited the Greenway Fire in Collier County. The Greenway Fire is 16,876 acres and is 50 percent contained.

Currently, there are 52 active wildfires in Florida burning 27,870 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Greenway Fire (Collier County): 16,876 acres and 50 percent contained.
  • Flag Pond Fire (Collier County): 2,578, 100 percent contained.
  • West Boundary Fire (Hendry County): 2,629 acres and 80 percent contained
  • Firebreak (Gulf County): 2,000 acres and 45 percent contained.
  • Shamrock Dr. Fire (Lee County): 20 acres and 100 percent contained.

Resources Deployed to Southwest Florida:

  • State Firefighting Bulldozers: 11
  • 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.

 

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Visit Collier County Wildfires, Host Media Availability

Posted on

MEDIA ADVISORY

Tomorrow, March 28th, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will visit the Greenway Fire in Collier County and provide an update on wildfire activity and Florida Forest Service response efforts. The Greenway Fire is currently 16,794 acres and 50 percent contained.

Event: Media availability on wildfire activity and response efforts

Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Time: 9:45 a.m.

Location: Florida Forest Service Incident Command Post
950 Sabal Palm Road
Naples, Florida 34114

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA.

South Carolina Sending Firefighters, Equipment to Help Florida Battle Wildfires

Posted on

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and the Florida Forest Service announced today that South Carolina is sending firefighters and equipment to help battle Florida wildfires. The support crews are expected to arrive in Central Florida Saturday evening. There more than 135 active wildfires in Florida and more than 2,000 wildfires have burned over 150,000 acres in Florida this year. Current conditions by county, burn bans, and helpful tips prevent and protect against wildfire in Florida can be found here.
“I thank the South Carolina Forestry Commission for providing this much-needed support as our firefighters continue to battle wildfires across the state,” Commissioner Putnam said. “Conditions are forecast to get even drier and warmer into late spring and early summer, and Florida is going to need all the help we can get.”
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.
“Every part of our state is susceptible to wildfire, and with more than half of Florida’s counties under burn bans, resident and visitors must take every precaution to help prevent wildfire,” said State Forester Jim Karels.
Forecast wildfire danger for May 12, 2017:

Active Wildfires in Florida:

County Burn Bans as of May 12, 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

Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency Following Increased Wildfires Across the State

Posted on

Governor Rick Scott today issued Executive Order 17-120 declaring a state of emergency in Florida following the recent wildfires across the state and the high potential for increased wildfires to continue this year. Forecasts predict hotter and drier conditions than normal in Florida during the coming months. Florida wildfires have already burned 250 percent more acreage during the first three months of 2017 than during the same time period last year. There are currently more than 100 active wildfires across more than 20,000 acres in Florida.
Governor Scott said, “As wildfires impact our state, our incredible firefighters and first responders have bravely rushed to aid our communities and worked tirelessly to protect our homes and families. Last month I traveled to Collier County with Commissioner Putnam to see the impacts of one of these wildfires firsthand and we have continued to monitor the growing number of fires across the state. I’ve continued to be in contact with Commissioner Putnam and local officials about the wildfires across the state and today I am declaring a state of emergency in Florida to ensure we are ready to respond to and prepare for these fires.
“Much of Central and South Florida are approaching drought-like conditions and the chances for wildfires are continuing to increase with hotter temperatures and low rainfall. This may only get worse as we enter the hotter summer months and it is crucial that we take every action right now to be prepared. It is incredibly important that wildfire response is swift and deliberate and this state of emergency will make it easier for our state, regional and local agencies to quickly work together to protect our families, visitors and communities.”
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said, “Wildfires are burning more than 20,000 acres in Florida right now, and we haven’t seen this active of a season since 2011. From St. George Island in the Panhandle to a wildfire just north of one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions in Orlando, we’re seeing that every area of our state is susceptible to wildfire. I thank Governor Scott for signing this executive order, which will ensure we have every resource available to us to combat these wildfires to protect life, property and wildlife. May God bless our brave firefighters who are working tirelessly to protect us.”