Most Florida Wildfires Occur In April, State's Driest Month

PASCO COUNTY, FL — After battling a major brush fire in Holiday April 9 that threatened homes near Anclote High School, Pasco County Sheriff's Office units underwent special training this week to prevent the spread of brush fires.

Sheriff's office units including aviation, maritime operations and agricultural units, participated in aerial firefighting training focused on using a “Bambi bucket” attached to sheriff's rescue helicopter. The bucket is used to scoop water from nearby bodies of water. The water is then released on top of fires.

Not only will this training assist firefighters on the ground, but will also help slow the spread of brush fires.

Several sheriff's pilots took turns practicing different scenarios throughout the week in preparation for future brush fires.

Since Jan. 1, there have been 652 wildfires in Florida, burning more than 8,000 acres, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Typically, most wildfires in April, one of the state's driest months.

Currently, most of the state is under a moderate threat of wildfires, according to the Forest Service.

While residents have no control over natural conditions that cause brush fires, such as lightning strikes, there are some things they can do to prevent brush fires including not throwing lit cigarette butts out car windows, making sure campfires and bonfires are completely extinguished, getting proper permits to burn debris, not using fireworks during the dry season and taking precautions when using tools and combustion engines that can give off sparks.

Residents can also protect their homes from wildfires by taking the following steps:

• Create a defensible space around your home by using the National Fire Protection Association’s zone concept.

• Choose fire-resistant plants. Consult a landscaper in your area or this state-by-state list of fire-resistant plants at the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise website.

• Create empty space between shrubs and trees to reduce the chance of flames leaping between them.

• Prune trees above the height of bushes and shrubs (approximately 6 to 10 feet off the ground) and remove dead branches.

• Mow grassy areas regularly so that the grass is never higher than 4 inches.

• Remove dead and dry plants that could fuel a fire, as well as fallen leaves, pine cones and other dry plant material.