Associated Press - May 14, 2009 4:14 PM ET

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency and has put the Florida National Guard on alert to help forestry officials deal with a wildfire threat across the state.

Crist's emergency order Thursday also authorizes the state to suspend toll charges on the Turnpike system if evacuations are ordered. The governor warned retailers against unfairly raising prices during any emergency.

Since Jan. 1, more than 2,200 fires burning nearly 65,000 acres in Florida have been reported. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said Tuesday that nearly all were caused by humans and would be preventable if people used caution and common sense.

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