TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) -- The Gatlinburg fire in Tennessee continues to rage on, leaving thousands displaced. Many other states across the southeast are also seeing fires due to the extreme drought conditions. The drought has expanded into the panhandle of Florida which is causing concerns for wildfires locally.
While the biggest fires are states away, we cannot forgets that these can easily happen in our area as well.
"Wildland fire is a reality in Florida," says John Fish, the Fire Chief of Florida Forest Service. "It's a natural part of the environment, but it is going to happen and we can't look at it as it's just not going to happen. It will. We need to be prepared to respond to it when happens."
Not sure how to get prepared? Florida Forest Service says it's as easy as "Ready, Set, Go."
Ready your property and home by trimming bushes away from your house. You'll also want to clear out your gutter as well as you yard of any fallen leaves and tree debris.
Get your family set with an emergency kit, multiple evacuation routes, and of course your packed bags. When the time comes to go, you'll want to those in your car and leave before any road congestion or getting caught in the fire.
Fish says, "The more folks do to help us ahead of time by preparing their home and their property to be fire-wise; that helps us when this situation does occur."
While Florida sees wildfires all year, the peak of the season is in the drier months of December through July.
