ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Right now is peak time for wildfires in Florida.
The dangers were highlighted less than a week ago when a brush fire ignited last Saturday afternoon in St. Johns County, west of St. Augustine.
The fire came alarmingly close to homes, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of preparing properties for wildfire threats.
“This is our third one in 17 years being here, and this is the closest it’s ever gotten,” said St. Johns County resident Maggie Florio.
Homeowners are urged not to assume that recent rainfall has eliminated the risk of wildfires. Numerous housing developments in St. Johns County back up to wooded areas, increasing the likelihood of fire hazards.
Chris Naff with St. Johns County Fire Rescue emphasized the need for homeowners to take proactive measures to protect their properties. He pointed out the type of underbrush that can easily catch fire and fuel wildfires.
Naff walked through a St. Johns County home to demonstrate essential steps homeowners should take to safeguard one of their most valuable assets, starting with gutters.
“All this stuff sitting right here is sitting in your gutters,” Naff said. “Getting that cleaned out once a year or two times a year is even better. What happens is if this brush fire catches off, embers fall in and they get into your gutters, that lights your whole gutter on fire. Now we have a house fire instead of a wildfire.”
He also advised homeowners to cut away any tree limbs that hang over their homes and to trim back any bushes that touch their houses.
Checking roofs for exposed wood is crucial, as it could ignite if embers land on it.
Naff cautioned about the proper disposal of ash from fire pits, noting that it can remain hot longer than expected and may spark a fire if discarded improperly.
Parents should also talk to their children about the dangers of matches and lighters.
“We get a lot of kids that start brush fires,” Naff explained. “Kids are inherently adventurous; they want to try stuff and do something so small, they don’t understand the risks.”
The risk of wildfires is heightened now, as winds can spread embers from existing fires, igniting new ones.
As the peak of wildfire season continues, homeowners living near wooded areas should remove any fallen tree limbs or clumps of dead debris that could catch fire.
If a fire does start, it is crucial not to risk personal safety by trying to protect the home with a garden hose.
Leave that to firefighters, Naff said. That’s their job.