Bronson Urges Floridians To Remain Vigilant As Wildfire Season Heats Up
For Information, Contact:
Ronda Sutphen
(850) 933-0663
Ronda.Sutphen@freshfromflorida.com
May 12, 2008
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is reminding Floridians to be cautious as the wildfire danger continues to increase and is also asking for the public’s help to combat arson.
“Wildfires over the weekend led to the closing of I-95 in two places on Sunday and serve as a reminder that this year’s wildfire season is not over,” Bronson said.
The LPGA fire in Volusia County burned 1,000 acres and shut down portions of I-95 on Sunday as fire fighters battled gusty winds in attempts to control the fire. The 3,000 acre Osage Fire in Brevard County also shut down portions of I-95 yesterday and destroyed a home and multiple outbuildings.
Bronson’s Division of Forestry is coordinating the suppression efforts on both fires and will bring in additional personnel and equipment today to help with suppression efforts.
“Gusty winds and low relative humidities will hamper suppression efforts again today” Bronson said. “Smoke from wildfires can greatly reduce visibility so use extreme caution when driving through smoke.”
Wildfire danger will continue to increase until the state receives significant rainfall. As a result, Bronson is asking people to delay burning yard waste until conditions improve because of the potential of such fires to escape and the ability of the resulting brush fire to grow into a large wildfire.
Since January 1st, 2008, 1,173 wildfires have burned 32,255 acres in Florida. Most of these fires were caused by human carelessness. However, arson is also a concern. So far this year, 234 fires have been determined to be arsons. The department has a toll free hotline for citizens to report suspected arson or suspicious activities, 1-800-342-5869.
“Arson is a serious crime and we will aggressively investigate all suspicious fires,” Bronson said. “There are lives and property at stake and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law when we apprehend arsonists.”
Arson is a felony crime and anyone convicted of arson can be fined up to $5,000 and faces five years in prison.
Floridians can take additional precautions to help prevent wildfires by never leaving a campfire unattended, disposing of cigarettes properly and making sure all vehicles and equipment have properly working spark arresters. Homeowners are urged to remove vegetation from around their homes, creating a 30 foot defensible space.
For more information on fire prevention, citizens are encouraged to call their local Division of Forestry office, or visit the Division of Forestry’s website at www.floridaforestservice.com.
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