Arson is a leading cause of wildfires

Posted on December 13, 2017

The Florida Forest Service (FFS) responded to 75 wildfires during the fiscal year ending June 30, with arson once again among the top causes, burning 394 of the 495 acres lost to fire.

The 75 fires were nearly three times the number of fires reported during the previous year, but crews contained the blazes so that they burned only a third of the number of acres.

PHOTO: Arson was the cause of 17 wildfires that burned 394.8 acres during the 12-month period ending June 30, according to the Florida Forest Service. Officials determined the Dallus Creek fire, which destroyed hundreds of acres along the Taylor County coast in May (shown above), was caused by arson. No culprit has been apprehended for the blaze.

Subscribe to our e-Edition and read the rest of the story. Already a subscriber? Click here to sign in.