State warns Florida fire danger isn’t over yet

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) Firefighters continue monitoring the Hacienda Fire burning in the Picayune Strand State Forest as state and local officials warn Florida is still facing dangerous wildfire conditions despite recent rainfall.

The Florida Forest Service says the Hacienda Fire has burned about 650 acres and is now 90% contained. The brush fire ignited Monday near Rifle Range Road and sent smoke across parts of Collier County, including areas east of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road.

The Hacienda Fire comes after another 135-acre brush fire near Golden Gate was fully contained earlier this week.

State officials say Florida has already seen more than 2,100 wildfires this year, burning over 136,000 acres statewide as drought conditions continue across much of the state.

During a wildfire briefing on Tuesday, James Uthmeier warned Floridians to take burn bans seriously heading into the summer months.

“With our record droughts and the dry climate, unfortunately accidents can happen,” Uthmeier said. “Things can go wrong and before you know it, a fire can be out of hand and endanger our communities.”

Wilton Simpson said conditions remain extremely dry despite recent rain and urged homeowners to create defensible space around their homes by clearing brush and debris.

In Collier County, the county’s burn ban remains in effect. County officials say the decision to keep the burn ban in place comes after coordination between Emergency Management, the Florida Forest Service, local fire districts and county leadership. Officials say they continue monitoring drought conditions, humidity, wind, wildfire activity, fuel conditions and sustained rainfall trends before considering lifting the ban.

The county says recent rainfall has had little impact on the overall drought conditions.

Violations of the burn ban that cause irreparable or irreversible damage can carry fines up to $15,000 under county ordinance.

“It’s progressively getting worse,” said Austin Akers, a Golden Gate Estates neighbor whose mother’s home was nearly impacted by a previous fire. “It’s stressful. It’s very stressful.”

Another Collier County neighbor, Maria Bernava, said smoke from nearby brush fires has become noticeable even inside buildings where she works.

“You can kind of smell it actually in the hallways,” Bernava said. “It’s a little bit rough.”

State leaders are also warning people to use caution heading toward the Fourth of July holiday, saying fireworks restrictions could remain in place in some areas if drought conditions continue.