Wildfires still possible in Florida despite wet stretch of weather

A stretch of wet weather in Northeast Florida doesn’t mean a wildfire won’t break out.

You need to be prepared for one at all times, especially if you live near a wooded area, says Julie Allen, a wildfire mitigation specialist for the Florida Forest Service.

“Unlike western states like California, Wyoming and Arizona, we don’t have a wildfire season,” Allen says. “Wildfires happen year round here in Florida.”

She says just like you prepare for hurricane season, you should always be prepared for a wildfire. That means making sure your roof is clear of any debris and you have an evacuation plan in case a fire gets too close to your home.

“We have those afternoon thunderstorms through June and July where there’s a lot of lightning, and sometimes those lightning strikes cause wildfires,” Allen says.

She says if you see smoke or another sign of fire, you should call 911 to let your nearest fire department determine if it’s actually a wildfire.