Central Florida Faces Increased Fire Risk Due to Prolonged Dry Spell

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – With the ongoing dry spell elevating fire risks in Central Florida, our News 6 team had the opportunity to witness firsthand how local fire departments and the Florida Forest Service work to prevent wildfires from spiraling out of control.

On Wednesday, Orange County officials notified residents near Apopka about a controlled burn scheduled at Kelly Park. A representative from the parks department elaborated on the significance of this practice, emphasizing its role in effective land management.

Mitigating Wildfire Risks

• Controlled burns play a crucial role in managing forest fuel loads, thereby decreasing the potential intensity and spread of wildfires.

Promoting Ecosystem Vitality

• Prescribed fires promote the growth of native vegetation and improve habitats for wildlife

Disease Control

• Prescribed fire can help control plant diseases and pests, contributing to healthier ecosystems. 

This week, dry conditions have fueled brush fires across central Florida. On Tuesday, a 94-acre fire shut down C.R. 44A.

There was a 170-acre wildfire on the south end of Flagler County near the Volusia border before a burn ban went into effect.

[BELOW: Flagler County under local state of emergency, burn ban after massive wildfire]

According to the Florida Forest Service, the following counties in central Florida have enacted burn bans as of Feb. 11: Brevard, Marion, Polk, and Sumter.

News 6 Chief Meteorologist Candace Campos said burn bans go into effect when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reaches or exceeds 500.

“Which is why areas like Marion County, Sumter County are already there,” Campos explained. “I know Brevard and Flagler also issued those burn bans. So this is just the start of what will be a pretty dry and kind of dicey season.”

[BELOW: Central Florida drought conditions worsen; more burn bans expected]

Campos said fire danger is expected to continue rising. Florida is now experiencing its worst early February drought in decades.

“It’s the worst we’ve seen this early in the year in about 25 years,” said Campos. “We have to go all the way back to 2001 to see numbers as bad as they are currently.