(WTXL) - The U.S. Forest Service predicts that this spring Florida will face a significantly increased risk for wildfires.
The agency's reasons include below normal precipitation over the past couple of months and freeze events and tropical storm disturbances in 2017. The freezing and storms have resulted in increased accumulation of dead and downed fuels.
"As days become warmer and vegetation begins to green up, fire danger will increase as moisture deficits remain in place," a news release said. "Fire danger indices are currently trending with values Florida experienced in 2007, a very significant fire season."
Residents of North Florida are encouraged to keep areas around their homes free of dead and downed debris and keep them regularly watered during this dry time.
The Florida Forest Service manages more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the effects of wildfire.
For more information about the Florida Forest Service, go to www.FloridaForestService.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.
