According to a Pensacola News Journal story in an interview with Florida State Forester Jim Karels, he warned Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of the Cabinet that without being able to clear damaged and destroyed Florida Panhandle forest acreage impacted by Hurricane Michael, the Northwest Florida fire threat might be much greater than California. “If we have three weeks without rain and a windy day, we’re ready to go,” said Karels.
The at-risk areas include the largely rural Panhandle communities north into Georgia. He explained that when the downed trees dry, rural communities will “face a significant fire threat, as once well-managed forests have become impassable for wildfire vehicles. You could see fires that are running $10 (million) to $100 million, similar to the West, if we don’t get rid of the debris.”
In addition to the at-risk Florida and South Georgia forest lands, farms, Florida Panhandle area homesand businesses will also be at risk of being destroyed by devastating fires like the region has never seen before. Pray for rain.
