FORT MYERS – Southwest Florida is currently under fire warnings as the region experiences an exceptionally dry season. The Fort Myers Fire Department has urged residents to take precautions to prevent fires from starting or spreading.

Fire Marshal Rick Reynolds emphasized the importance of avoiding open fires, including trash, debris, and campfires.

“You’re not going to be able to control it once it starts. Is going to be fast,” said Reynolds.

This year’s dry season is particularly unique due to a recent hard freeze, which has killed off vegetation, providing more fuel for potential fires.

“This particular dry season is going to be unique, because we had such a hard freeze, and a hard freeze kills all the vegetation, so we’re always dry this time of year, but with the added weather conditions of being so cold that we’ve had in the last couple of weeks, and the freeze and the frost that we’ve had, vegetation is going to die and accumulate on the ground and will provide more fuel for fire. So that’s what makes it unique this year, very unique,” said Reynolds.

With Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Glades counties on water shortage notice, residents are encouraged to conserve water.

“If there’s a shortage of water during peak demands, usually is, you know, after people get home from work as a peak demand, we still could have a fire during that time. And so there’s less water to be used to suppress fires. So people need to pay attention and not over water, and don’t water their lawns. You know, we need to conserve the water so that we have the resources we need to combat fires,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds advised residents to be cautious and avoid activities that might spark a fire.

“Do not use anything that would start a fire, such as fireworks or sparklers or anything like that you’re smoking material. Make sure you’re outside smoking that you dispose of your smoking material properly and that they’re out that way, we don’t get a wildfire started,” he said.

Those who disregard the warnings and choose to burn trash, debris, or start a campfire could face a misdemeanor under Florida Statute 590.081.