Florida seeks federal help with wildfires

Florida seeks federal help with wildfires

27 May 2007

published by www.fs-world.com

USA — Florida’s governor has asked for a federal state of emergency to dealwith the damage from drought and wildfires.

Florida is entering its third month of drought and wildfires which haveerupted in 57 of 67 Florida counties, burning across 350,026 acres since January.

State and local authorities, including the Florida National Guard, now arefighting 206 wildfires.

Traditionally, states only qualify for federal assistance after the wildfiresare approved under a fire declaration. But with the severe drought conditions,the situation is dangerous enough to approve federal money now to remove debrisfrom threatened areas.