Be Prepared For Brush Fire Season

Another hurricane season has come and gone and fortunately our state avoided the big storms this year.

However, we can't let down our guard because another potentially dangerous time - brush fire season - is upon us. While brush fire season doesn't seem to draw the attention as hurricanes do, wild fires can be deadly and destructive.

If you don't believe that, check with the folks in California.

Now is the time to make homes as safe as possible from the threat of brush fires.

Structures should be surrounded by a buffer zone extending outward from the home at least 30 feet in all directions. This area should be free of highly flammable vegetation and should be well maintained. Accumulated leaves, pine needles and twigs should be removed from roofs and gutters.

Also, hazardous materials, including wood, vehicles and propane tanks, should not be stored next to the house.

Residents need to be aware that outdoor burning has been the cause of several serious wildfires in the past.

It is especially important now due to the dry conditions. Although the rain that fell this past weekend was appreciated - any is at this time of year- it was not enough. There are many lakes in Highlands that are several inches below what their level should be.

The outlook for the next few months shows a developing La Nina in the Pacific Ocean, which equates to below-average rainfall this winter and spring and above-normal temperatures.

"The predicted forecast and the lack of summer rainfall significantly increase the probability that Florida will see a very active wildfire season once again in 2008," said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson.

Since Jan. 1, a total of 4,630 wildfires have burned 582,486 acres of state and federal lands in Florida, according to the Division of Forestry.

We can't say enough to heed the advice of fire service officials. The most active part of the season is under way and typically runs from December through July.

It would be nice to be able to avoid an active brush fire season as was the case for the hurricane season. It will take preparation.