Dry conditions fuel wildfire concerns across Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — With dry conditions throughout Central Florida, fire safety is a major concern for many residents.

What You Need To Know

Officials say February freezes and lack of rainfall are fueling wildfire conditions

Florida is experiencing some of its driest conditions in decades

More than 1,500 wildfires have burned over 54,000 acres across Florida since January

Local crews are assisting across the state and preparing for worsening conditions

Officials say the recent wildfire activity can be traced to freezes in February. That, combined with little to no rainfall, is creating conditions that allow fires to spread quickly. Officials say the current conditions are some of the driest they’ve seen in decades.

“We’re seeing a drought now, that we haven’t seen in close to three decades. As a matter a fact, since 1989 it hasn’t been this dry,” said Clifford Frazier with the Florida Forest Service.

Frazier says dry vegetation, lack of rain and low humidity levels are igniting fires across the state, including recent wildfires in Lake County and parts of North Florida.

“What we’re noticing is that the wildfires seem to be in the northern portion of the state now and working its way down south of here,” Frazier said.

State leaders are also sounding the alarm. In a statement, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said the state is already seeing widespread drought conditions.

“Since January, more than 1,500 wildfires have burned over 54,000 acres across Florida. With an above-normal wildfire potential expected through the next few months, those numbers could continue to rise,” Simpson said.

Battalion Chief Nichol Stratman says Orange County Fire Rescue sent a task force crew to help with fires in Putnam County Wednesday, alongside crews from Seminole, Palm Bay and Osceola County fire rescue teams.

“When fires get out of control and it overwhelms the resources that a local jurisdiction is able to attach to it, they reach out and ask mutual aid or state aid,” Stratman said.

Orange County recently lifted its burn ban, but Stratman says crews are still preparing resources in case conditions worsen locally.

“We’re definitely more careful this time of year about preventative maintenance on the woods trucks that they are available to respond to these calls,” Stratman said.

Officials say one of the best ways residents can stay safe is by preparing their homes—clearing debris, staying aware of burn restrictions and doing their part to prevent fires before they start.