First Alert: Wildfire Special

Jacksonville, FL — We have had a stretch of dry days, combined with a January freeze, which puts NE Florida at greater risk of wildfires.

WATCH:  First Alert Wildfire Special

WOKV and Action News Jax partnered with the Florida Forest Service and local emergency management leaders to address steps being taken early in the spring to prevent  a repeat of the 2017 fire season, which started in Bryceville on March 22nd.  A private property owner was burning books when the fire quickly got out of control.

Then, in early April, lighting started a fire that eventually grew into the hundreds of thousands of acres, and was commonly referred to as the West Mims Fire.

The Florida Forest Service has been actively conducting prescribed burns in the NE Florida area before the typical wildfire season begins.

We explored these prescribed burns, and how county leaders are preparing their communities ahead of the 2018 wildfire season.