Fires In florida

[crisstyle21]

Im getting really concerned living down here in florida. Here in florida we have a lot of species of reptiles and mammals, most are endangered. I was wondering with all the fires and bulldozing what animals are being destroyed. I just thought Id bring it to everyones attention on whats goin on down here. I might go this weekened to the real bad areas and try and see what I can find and get them out of there.

[mlededee]

generally speaking fire does not threaten animal populations. while a few animals may be killed by fire it usually does not pose a threat to most animals or animal communities. minerals resulting from fires and new plant growth that sprouts afterward actually attract animals to an area that has been burned--sometimes the ecological benefits of a fire are great.

do not attempt to rescue animals from an area experiencing wildfires or to go near any area that is burning. chances are, you won't find any animals there and you will only risk harm to yourself. these fires are dangerous and should be left to the firefighters and foresters who are trained to handle them.

[jamesw]

I thought the fires were in georgia?
Im in florida and everyday there is thick smoke everywhere.

[Blu Mongoose]

Yes, stay out of the area. If a fire should come up on you fast you are not only putting yourself at risk, but also anyone that would be attempting to rescue you.

Most animals manage to get out. New growth of plants afterward draw more wildlife back to the area.
We have friends down there that show dogs. They still have a day or 2 to get out. Yet they told me the wildlife has seemed to have already moved out. Many that can't travel fast tend to dig down.

[NotAnotherHonda]

im in tallahassee, about 15 min from GA, and its bad right now. like, i cant drive and see 50 yards in front of me

[mlededee]

the fires are in both georgia and florida. one fire in georgia has burned about 116,000 acres of forest and swamp thus far (since it started more than 3 weeks ago) and another started by lightening has burned about 180,000 acres of the okefenokee swamp in southeast georgia and has spread into northern florida in just a week's time.

[Laooda]

wow.

[Alice]

There's over 200 fires burning in Florida right now. Last week Governor Christ activated our state's emergency management office. Smoke has been all over the state. Last week, here in Orlando, we could see and smell the smoke from the largest fire on the Georgia / Florida state line - 2 hours away. That one fire has burned thousands and thousands of acres. I know that to some of you in the midwest or in Texas, 50,000 or 60,000 thousand acres is not a lot, but here in Florida it's a big chunk.


What we need is a small tropical depression with no wind and no beach erosion - just lots of rain.

[crisstyle21]

Omg you guys should have seen how hazy the weather has been these last couple of days. This is my first big wildfire. I never experienced this before. You know what im thinking about. theres a protected tortoise in florida and im just feel there getting wiped out

[wolfy-hound]

Fires happen every year in Florida. They've been happening here for a long time. The tortoises usually will do fine in a deep burrow.
The big Bradford county fire(over 6000 acres) was less than 8 miles from my house, and I had to bring my monitor lizard inside due to the massive smoke. It was so thick that you couldn't see 200 feet at all. I have a evacuation plan(same as for hurricanes) for me and my animals.
The wildlife usually does pretty well on it's own. People leaving their pets behind is what angers me. The pets can't leave, or they are released when the owners evac, and then they can starve or be killed because they don't know what to do.
It's really icky anywhere near any of the larger fires in Florida right now.
Big rain.. Big rain!! Come on!!!