Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are issuing words of caution as high winds and low humidity have all but negated the effects of recent rainfall. High winds and low humidity are combining to dry out smaller vegetation such as grass, shrubs and small limbs and debris.
This weather, while great for backyard burning of yard trash, can increase the chances of a wildfire. While the weather will be conducive to cleaning up backyards in preparation for spring, residents must be cautious if they decide to burn any debris.
“We’re certainly not in an extreme fire situation, we’re simply urging caution,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for Blackwater. “Spring is the peak of Florida’s fire season and we want people to be aware of the potential.”
There are no burn bans in effect in our area but residents must still follow certain requirements: Burning piles of yard debris less than 8 feet in diameter is allowed if it is 25 feet from any wooded area or combustible structure, 25 feet from your house, 50 feet from a paved public road and 150 feet from other occupied dwellings.
Piles greater than 8 feet require a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service and must meet more stringent standards. For more information about authorizations, call Blackwater Forestry Center headquarters at 850-957-5701.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
Contact: Joe Zwierzchowski
850-983-5310, 850-206-2675 (cell)
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