Division of Forestry receives stimulus money for Highlands County

Portions of Highlands County are safer from wildfire thanks to federal stimulus dollars that funded efforts to reduce the wildfire danger.

The Florida Division of Forestry has received more than $11,000 of the federal stimulus funding to hire contractors to mow firebreaks in Highlands.

"The first project was to establish fire breaks in the Sebring Hills Community June 2009, said Melissa Yunas of the Florida Division of Forestry. "Wildfire history in the Sebring Hill's parcel was extreme due to human causes (ATVs, shotgun practice and campfires). The entire community signed a petition requesting assistance to protect their community."

The second project was completed this week. It developed fire breaks in the Sun 'n Lakes community. Mechanical fire breaks were established to help firefighters slow down the wildfire and safely protect homes. Both structural and wildland firefighters may safely defend the residential area by using the fire breaks as roads.

In March 2009, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry was awarded $900,000 under the federal stimulus plan to conduct wildfire prevention efforts. The funding, which is being provided by the U.S. Forest Service, will enable Florida Division of Forestry to do prescribed burning to minimize the impact of wildfires, conduct other hazardous fuel reduction activities, and provide community information and education to Florida residents living near high wildfire risk areas.