Wildland Fire and Fire Prevention
The mission of the Forest Protection Bureau is 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.
We have developed programs, software, equipment, and highly trained firefighters and foresters, with the goal to protect one of the finest forest systems in the United States.
Prevention
Florida’s year round risk of wildfire is a problem that can not be handled with one simple program. We have established several program areas addressing the wildfire issues in the state. The first is our Fire Prevention Program. Smokey Bear remains an active part of our overall prevention message, but our work goes beyond Smokey.
The Firewise Communities Program educates homeowners and community professionals about creating defensible space around their homes, helping to protect them from the dangers of wildfire. We also have developed several interactive programs on CD-ROM to help teach fourth graders through adults the benefits of fire prevention.
Prescribed Fire is a cost effective tool to reduce fuel buildups which can cause dangerous wildfire conditions, thus providing increased protection to people, their homes and the forest.
Assistance
The Division of Forestry has created programs and services for hazardous fuel management. These Fire Management Services include fuel reduction, fireline plowing, and prescribed burning. We have developed several ways to help with fuel management, such as the Florida Risk Assessment System, Smoke Screening Tool and the collection of Live Fuel Moistures.
The Division also provides assistance through local volunteer and municipal fire department Grant Programs and Federal Excess Property. These departments provide vital assistance in the suppression of wildland fires.
Protection
Specialized Equipment for wildfire prevention and firefighting is used to attack wildfire and respond to other emergency needs - no matter what the terrain or location, and includes one of the foremost aviation programs in the country. We use specially equipped helicopters in fire suppression and maintain a fleet of fixed wing airplanes for detection and fire intelligence during suppression activities.
Our Fire Management Information System Mapping Tool indicates where all existing/active wildfires are in Florida as well as where all open burn authorizations are planned on any particular day.
More Information
Wildfire Statistics
Laws and Rules
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