Fla has been frigid lately, with snow in the northern parts of the state having had residents bundling up to fight the elements. Now it is time to get your sunglasses because things are heating up. There is a rising risk of forest fires following the recent cold fronts. It could be dangerous if precautions are not taken. Thankfully, the Florida Forest Service is stepping in with some contributors to help create an action plan to remove the potential menace.
Residents of Florida have been bundling up for the current winter season. While they have been enjoying hot cocoa, the potential forest fires that are to cine would sure warm people up. The dangers are due to, in short, the extreme weather conditions that have left the forests drier than ever.
Fire needs three components to get started: oxygen, fuel and heat. Over several months, these components have risen above their usual amounts. The colder temperatures during the winter have caused most of the trees to dry out. This provides fuel for the fire to get itself going. One may wonder why the climate is colder than usual, the culprit is climate change. The wildly abnormal natural disasters of 2024 are also a main contributor to fueling the fires. Due to them being back-to-back, hurricanes Milton and Helene have left lots of debris on the floor. Those of which dry out. Oxygen has been more apparent due to these storms being low-pressure systems; drawing more oxygen into the atmosphere.
Though people do not need to fear, the Florida Fire Service is on this issue. “I know that I can be safe knowing that the Florida Fire Service is making sure our forests are being protected” answered Wharton sophomore, Cruz Brockman.
The Florida Fire Service aims to, “provide a level of fire management that reduces threats to life and property, forests and other related at-risk wildland resources, while promoting natural resource management through the use of prescribed fire” (fdacs.gov). Though this problem may cause distress among readers, the FFS is working steadily to create an action plan in case a fire breaks loose.
The Florida Fire Service has been working with many services in their attempts to settle the fire risks: Forest Management Consultants, Florida Forest Tree Seedling Nurseries, Site Preparation Vendors, Tree Planting Vendors, and Forest Products Buyers. They aim to spread as much awareness as possible with community speakers and events that help shift one’s ignorant perspective on the matter.
There is no need to worry about potential mishaps, given people are cautious about what they do to prepare for such situations. Media itself has given helpful tips on what to do when even one’s house catches on fire: installing and maintaining smoke detectors, creating elaborate exit plans in the case of a fire, and having working fire extinguishers on hand. The best way to combat potential “dumb” mistakes is to educate those around you on how to live a safer life.
