Campfires banned on public lands it manages until wildfire threat subsides
News Release
Friday, June 17, 2011
Media contact: Wendy Dial, 850-488-9477
In light of significant drought conditions and the increased
threat of wildfires, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC), in cooperation with the state Division of
Forestry and other partner agencies, issued an executive order June
16 prohibiting campfires in wildlife management areas, wildlife and
environmental areas and all other lands it manages.
The order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. June 17 and remains in
effect until rescinded by a subsequent order. The FWC joins the
DOF, the Department of Environmental Protection and Florida water
management districts in this effort.
"Special regulations are necessary to mitigate risk to public
safety and to minimize the likelihood of igniting fires that will
adversely impact wildlife and wildlife habitat," said the order,
signed by Nick Wiley, FWC executive director.
In its executive order, the FWC notes that Florida is
experiencing inordinately dry conditions for this time of year. "As
a result, DOF and FWC have been fighting multiple wildfires within
wildlife management areas, wildlife and environmental areas and
other lands managed by FWC."
If placed openly on the ground, the fire is considered a
campfire, and therefore barred. Only cooking fires contained in
commercially designed apparatuses are allowed.
Any violation is considered a second-degree misdemeanor,
punishable by up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Law
enforcement agencies on each respective state property are
responsible for enforcing violations.
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