SWFL wildfire season could stretch into August, Florida Forestry warns

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Even as afternoon storms roll through Southwest Florida, the fire risk isn't washing away.

Lightning hidden inside summer thunderstorms is keeping that danger alive, according to Florida Forestry officials. WINK News reporter Bridget Bruchalski spoke with authorities to find out what they're watching for.

"We are entering lightning season, and that is a concern for sure," said Jesse Lavender with Florida Forestry.

Lavender said it doesn't take much—just one strike. Lightning can hit a tree, travel through every crevice, and ground itself to the root system, causing the tree to smolder for days before flaring up if there hasn't been rain in the area.

Even with daily afternoon storms, the rain isn't reaching every neighborhood. Lavender said it rained at his house one day, but the three or four days before, it did not rain, and his yard was crinkling and cracking when he walked on it.

This means the ground is still dry and dangerous.

"We've had more than 2,200 fires across the state. Typically, we're about half of that at this point," Lavender said.

Officials say that could stretch the season even longer. Lavender said they're looking at extending wildfire risk into July and possibly early August, depending on how much rain Southwest Florida gets.

"A lot of the storms early on thus far have been very fast. They haven't lingered, they haven't dumped, you know, over an inch or two of rain, but they're fast," Lavender said.

So, when the sky lights up, Lavender warns residents to be prepared.

"Just don't be surprised if lightning does strike and start fires in several locations across Lee, Hendry, and Collier County," Lavender said.

Lavender says the best thing neighbors can do is simple—keep your yard clean of any dry brush and report smoke when you see it.