Wildfire preparedness: Growing communities at risk

Jacksonville, FL — April and May are considered the peak of NE Florida's fire season as the days get longer, temperatures warm up and rainfall is not yet a daily occurrence.

Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says our average evaporation rate on an average sunny day this season is a quarter inch per day.  The Florida Forest Service says there is currently a lot of debris on the forest floor.

Buresh Blog:  Peak of wildfire season

“A lot of fuel out there to burn. It’s starting to cure and as we get into the summer the stuff becomes more available to burn”, said Annaleasa Winter with the Florida Forest Service.

Incoming Nassau County Emergency Management Director Greg Foster says the growth and development in communities like Yulee, Callahan and Hilliard has provided a lot of ‘fuel’ that could burn.

“It’s always a concern when we have so much fuel in areas where we’ve got people moving in and building houses”, said Foster.

Strategic Plan:  Florida Forest Service Prescribed Fires 

The Florida Forest Service annually conducts prescribed burns to eliminate much of that fuel.  In 2018, the Forest Service burned 2.4 million acres in the state of Florida,  which led the nation.

“It’s the best tool for eliminating the fire risk and also enhancing the ecology and animal wildlife habitat”, said Winter.

Resources:  Florida Forest Service prevention and assistance

News 104.5 WOKV and Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh spoke with representatives from the Florida Forest Service and emergency managers from Baker and Nassau County about the steps they encourage land owners to take to prevent isolated fires from spreading.

Listen to the full Wildfire Preparedness Special here: 

We are reaching the peak of fire season in NE Florida. Listen for how growth in our local counties is providing more '...

Posted by Rich Jones on Monday, April 22, 2019

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