FLORIDA – The Florida Forest Service maps out all the wildfires and burn authorizations in the state on any given day. The interactive map can be found on the Florida Forest Service’s website. The map can also be found on the Florida Forest Service’s FL BurnTools phone app.
This reference tool is available for the public to use for identifying smoke columns in their area.
“This mapping system is a simple way to measure, track and differentiate wildfires and burn authorizations,” said Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Melissa Yunas, Florida Forest Service. “This is also a good reference tool to investigate unauthorized burns and to provide education on burning safely.”
Burning is essential to Florida’s Agriculture and Land Management Communities. Ranchers/ dairy farmers obtain pasture authorizations and accomplish burns that aid in increasing the diversity and structure of vegetation, which benefits wildlife and maintains livestock production.
Citrus growers obtain pile burn authorizations for pruning and cleaning the citrus groves. Farmers burn the stubble of their crops after they have been harvested.
Fire also enriches the soil and helps to combat disease, insects, and weeds. Land managers obtain ecological authorizations to manage their land for animal and water conservation or aesthetics.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland, and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at www.FloridaForestService.com.
Link for this Interactive Map of Current Wildfires and Burn Authorizations – HERE.
Black pegs are burn authorizations and red flames are wildfires that the Florida Forest service is suppressing, monitoring or mopping-up
If Indian River County residents are unsure if their planned burns needs to be authorized, please contact the IRC extension of the Florida Forest Service by calling (772) 778-5085.
