COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- With a potentially busy brushfire season ahead, the Florida Forest Service teamed up with local law enforcement for a sneak peek into the agency's operations.
"We have a dry pattern that set up last year that's coming back again. We haven't seen conditions like this since 2000 which to this date is one of the busiest seasons we've had on record," said Florida Forest Service spokesperson Victor Hill.
National Forest Day at the Picayune Strand State Forest featured tips on how to get your ground ready.
"You really have to be aware of things and what you need to do, clear out your yard just to be safe," said attendee Douglas Henchesmoore.
"Keeping all the dead vegetation away from your home, and making sure your lawn is watered.. simple steps like that can go a long way toward reducing risk," Hill continued.
Kids were also able to mingle with Florida panthers and be a firefighter for a day.
"It's really important for these kids to learn about fire safety so they know what to do in case there's a fire in the house," Henchesmoore, who brought his son to the event, added.
Forest officials say the heart of brush fire season starts in March and the first step to prevention.. is gaining a game plan.
"Unless we have a real sustained effort going on the risk is going to continue to grow so we really encourage people to seek us out and ask us questions about what they can do and then we'll try to work with them," Hill said.
Forest service officials emphasize that brush fires can occur at any time of the year... so it is important to always take steps to keep up your landscaping and work with your neighbors on a plan of action in case a fire breaks out.