Stay Safe During Wildfire Season

Here in Palm Harbor, we have a lot more greenspace than other parts of Pinellas County, which increases the risk for wildfires.

We got a reminder of the wildfire threat this week, when a blaze near the Florida-Georgia border brought haze and a smoky smell our way.

Concidentally, April 8-14 is Florida Wildfire Awareness Week, which was created to recognize the wildfires in Florida in 1998, including a large blaze that year in Brooker Creek Preserve. The 1998 Florida wildfires burned more than 500,000 acres and damaged or destroyed 337 homes and other structures, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture.

“Florida is unique in that it experiences a year-round wildfire season, with heightened wildfire activity during the spring months,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. 

“Although we may receive sporadic rain, extended drought conditions are forecasted to persist throughout spring and into summer. Over the coming weeks and months, it is likely that Florida will experience very high to extreme wildfire danger due to these dry conditions. It is critical for Floridians to take steps to ensure their own safety.”

There are many things you can do to lower the risk of wildfires-

• Check with local authorities for any temporary restrictions on burning yard waste.
• Contain fires to an eight-foot diameter pile or non-combustible barrel at least 25 feet from forests, 25 feet from homes, 50 feet from paved public roads and 150 feet from other occupied buildings.
• Do not burn on windy days or when the humidity is below 30 percent.
• Never leave a fire unattended and make sure it is completely out before leaving.
• Keep a shovel and water hose handy in case a small fire escapes containment.

Your home could be in danger, even if a wildfire is not in your immediate area. Here are some quick facts you should be aware of, courtesy of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety-

• Burning embers can be blown onto your property, even if the fire is not close to you.
• Burning embers can start fires when they land on vegetation and structures on your property. 
• Items on your property that can catch fire include deck and patio furniture, gutters, awnings, wood piles and areas where pine needles or leaves accumulate.

Other Resources-

• More information from IIBHS about how you can protect your home from wildfires
• The Florida Division of Forestry's Wildfire Information Site
• Pinellas County Air Monitoring Reports
• National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay Website (additional information about local weather conditions and fire weather advisories)

Do you have photos of wildfires or smoke from wildfires?

You can share them with other readers by uploading them to Palm Harbor Patch using the "Upload Photos and Videos" button.