Florida Wildfires: Where They’re Burning

TALLAHASSEE, FL — With forecasters predicting a string of mostly dry days during the week ahead, crews battling wildfires across the state may have their work cut out for them. As of Monday, April 17, the Florida Forest Service reported there were 111 wildfires under its watch burning across the state. Six additional wildfires spanning more than 100 acres each were reported on federal lands.

All told, the state agency estimated more than 77,631 acres across Florida were affected by wildfires on Monday. Twenty-four of the fires being fought by Florida Forest Service crews and local firefighters were deemed to be larger than 100 acres. Combined, the state fires covered some 17,098 acres.

As wildfire reports spiked last week, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency. Scott’s Tuesday declaration was made as more than 100 fires burned across the state on April 11, covering some 20,000 acres.

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Several high-profile fires have broken out across the Tampa Bay area over the past few weeks. A brushfire along Interstate 275 in the Gandy Boulevard area closed roads for hours, snarling traffic in Pinellas County. More than 1,100 acres of land have burned in Hernando County over the past week while Pasco County firefighters had multiple blazes to contend with.

As wildfire concerns linger across the state, several counties have banned outdoor burning entirely until further notice. Bans prohibit such things as the burning of yard debris, lighting campfires and using fireworks. Counties that had issued burn bans as of Monday morning, according to the Florida Forest Service, were:

• Nassau
• Hernando
• Pasco
• Polk
• Citrus
• Orange
• Seminole
• Osceola
• Brevard
• Okeechobee
• Glades
• Hendry

To see the locations of active wildfires reported to the state as of 8 a.m. April 17, check out the graphic below:

For more information on wildfires, county burn bans and fire dangers, visit the state’s website.

Photo courtesy of the Hernando County Fire Rescue Facebook page