Florida's Wildfire Risk: Stay Vigilant

0:00It's April 7. This is Tampa Bay News today. Local news powered by AI. Florida's heading into peak wildfire season as a total tender box thanks to ongoing drought and those harsh freezes earlier this year. Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson just gave the latest update alongside four service leaders. Right now, two fires are burning in Hillsboro County, but no fatalities reported so far. April through June marks the height of fire risks statewide. The combo of dry conditions and dead vegetation from the freezes has everything primed to ignite easily. Simpson says the state needs 12 to 20 inches of rain across Florida to shake off this drought. Tuesday's showers helped a bit, but it's only a quick break not the deep soak required. Folks are urged to stay vigilant against arson and careless sparks like backyard burns, barbecues left smothering or toss cigarettes. Clearing defensible space around homes and businesses is key trim roofs, gutters, and brush to give firefighters a fighting chance of flames approach.

1:04On the response side, the four service runs prescribed burns on two to two and a half million acres yearly to manage fuels. They've ramped up with nearly 100 new bulldozers and a fleet of 10 helicopters to tackle blazes. Expect conditions to worsen before improving, so report anything suspicious and prep your property now to keep Florida from turning into one big. Inferno