Florida Summer Wildfire History and Tips on Prevention

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

According to charts from the Data Face, Palm Beach County and the rest of South Florida are responsible for the top 10% of acres burned in U.S. wildfires. Peak wildfire season is in the summer for Florida, with the risk of a fire subsiding after June. Even after the month of June there is still a very real chance that one can occur, potentially destroying thousands of acres and many homes. As a result it is the responsibility of everyone to understand Florida’s wildfire history and tips on prevention.

• In 1935, over 35,000 acres were burned in the Big Scrub Fire in the Ocala National Forest.
• In 1956, the Buckhead Fire in the Osceola National Forest burned 10,000 acres in a single day.
• The Palm Coast Fire in 1985 burned 250 homes. This was one of the first serious fires to affect wildlife and residential areas.
• In 1998, 2,200 fires affected the Palm Coast, requiring evacuation of 45,000 people.
• Severe drought was prevalent in Florida during 1999. High temperatures and high winds brought over 50 brush fires that consumer close to 5,816 acres.
• In 2001, brush fires in Mallory Swamp burned for over two weeks. Close to 61,000 acres were affected.
• 2017 saw Florida’s worst wildfire season in years with over 150,000 acres in Florida burned by 2,000 wildfires.

There are many lessons to be learned from past wildfire seasons. Aside from prescribed burnings conducted by Florida officials, remembering the following can help with prevention:

• Never leave a lit grill or outdoor fire unattended.
• Use the proper equipment and materials when lighting any source of heat.
• Keep any dry debris and vegetation away from sources of heat and your home.
• Have a preparedness plan for your family in the event of a fire or evacuation.

Florida is no stranger to natural disasters. Much of the year is spent preparing for or enduring hurricanes and tropical storms. Wildfires should be no exception. Understanding how wildfires start and properly preparing for them is a shared responsibility for residents and local officials.