The recent drying trend has led to extremely favorable conditions for wildfires. The Florida Forest Service wants to encourage residents who live near nature to make their home safer from wildfire danger.
“Without rainfall, the sun’s radiant heat has dried out the dead leaf litter, making the fuel susceptible to ignition,” states Melissa Yunas, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with the Florida Forest Service. “Dead leaves, sticks and twigs can be kindling to a wildfire. In order to mitigate the risk, remove the dead leaf litter that has accumulated on or around your home. The goal is to limit the amount of flammable vegetation surrounding your home.”
“Another goal in wildfire home protection”, Yunas explains, “is to increase the moisture content of the live vegetation around your home.” Grass is vulnerable to the lack of rainfall and can die relatively quickly, then ignite instantly. Every year the Florida Forest Service suppresses wildfires caused by lawn mower blades striking rocks while simply mowing the lawn. In order to mitigate this risk, water plants, trees, and grass regularly to increase the moisture in the plants. Another tip is to mow before 10 a.m. and never when it’s windy or excessively dry.
By keeping your yard lean, clean, and green you can reduce your wildfire risk today. Call your local Florida Forest Service to find out what the experts know about the best way to make your home and neighborhood safer from wildfire. Together we can save homes and lives before a wildfire starts.
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