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Swiftmud Urges Public To Help Prevent Wildfires

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Drought increases the risk of wildfires, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District is urging the public to help prevent blazes during a regional drought that is in its third year.

The water district, also known as Swiftmud, is asking that people take extra care when using district lands for outdoor recreation, especially from October through May, traditionally the region's dry season.

Vehicles' catalytic converters can ignite pine needles and dead leaves, so Swiftmud is asking people to avoid driving over dead grass. Park where there is little or no vegetation, Swiftmud spokeswoman Robyn Felix said.

Other precautions:

•Dispose of smoking materials properly.

•Where fires are permitted, use extreme caution, using fire rings, fire pans or mound fires.

•Keep fires small and only use wood small enough to be broken by hand.

•Don't cut trees or bushes for firewood.

•When extinguishing a fire, use water to extinguish all embers. If water isn't available, use dirt. If the ashes are too hot to touch, they're too hot to leave unattended.

•If you see a fire, immediately call 911.

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