The Florida Forest Service's Caloosahatchee Forestry Center designates the second week of April as Wildfire Awareness Week since Florida's devastating wildfire season back in 1998.
According to Florida Forest Service, Lee, Collier and Hendry counties have responded to 43 wildfires already this year, as compared to 79 in 2017. Wildfires are likely to continue to pop up across Southwest Florida for the next few months during brush fire season, so the Caloosahatchee Forestry Center has a list of precautions to help keep you safe.
1. If yoy drive an ATV or dirt bike, make sure the muffler or spark arrestor system is working properly.
2. Be cautious with gas lanterns, barbecues, gas stoves or anything that could easily start a wildfire.
3. Make sure to dispose of cigarettes properly. Do not throw them out of your vehicle window.
4. Do not put grilling coals onto dry or dead vegetation.
5. While operation lawn mowers, use caution. A rock could hit the blade and spark a fire.
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