Despite rain, wildfires remain a concern in State of Florida

Despite rainfall throughout the state, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging residents not to let their guard down.

“Rainfall varied widely throughout the state, leaving areas in the Panhandle flooded while the central and southern peninsula still have high wildfire risk,” Bronson said. “More than 13 inches of rain fell in the far western Panhandle counties, while central and south Florida received little rain.”

The Florida Division of Forestry is sending road crews to assist with the rebuilding and reopening of flooded roads and submerged bridges in the northwestern part of the state. The division’s land management and wildfire crews will help assist with the restoration of travel routes in the area.

Meanwhile, approximately 65 firefighters from northern Florida and a 10 person incident command team have been deployed to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in both Volusia and Hernando counties.

The division routinely sends assistance to areas experiencing extraordinary emergency conditions. By shifting resources, it not only provides assistance for problems at hand, but also insures that the local crews can use their resources to respond to new local emergencies.

“While it’s unusual to have a flooding and a wildfire emergency at the same time, the flexibility of our personnel to quickly respond to emergencies of all kinds underscores the importance of the work that the Division of Forestry performs.”

For more information about wildfire danger or tips you can take to protect your home and property, visit the Florida Division of Forestry web site at www.fl-dof.com or contact your local Florida Division of Forestry field office.