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Significant Wildfires Burning Thousands Of Acres Across Florida Mostly Contained

Wildfire burning in Florida forest
Florida Forest Service Facebook

More than 30 wildfires are burning across Florida, and at least three of them are still significant—burning thousands of acres.

South Florida’s Collier County makes up half of the more than 34,000 acres burning in Florida. A quarter comes from the Panhandle’s Gulf County with about 8,000 acres burning. Polk and Miami-Dade County made up the rest of the significant wildfires, each burning hundreds of acres. Miami-Dade’s is now fully contained. The rest are mostly contained.

“Florida right now is seeing some continued drought conditions throughout the state,” said Kinley Tuten, Florida’s Agriculture spokeswoman. “While we have had recent rainfall, those conditions are going to continue for the foreseeable future.”

To avoid more wildfires, Floridians are encouraged to obey the state’s outdoor burning laws, try not to burn on windy days, and avoid parking vehicles on dry grass. For more up to date information, download the Florida Forest Service’s “FL Burn Tools” app.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.