2011 Moving Up In Rankings For Bad Wildfires
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4)-- Drought conditions in Florida are pushing 2011 up the list of the all-time worst years for wildfires.
The Florida Division of Forestry said Friday that 3,427 fires have burned more than 194,000 acres in the state, moving 2011 into 11th place in the all-time rankings. The worst year in recorded history was 1989, when 7,175 fires burned more than 645,000 acres.
Fires have occurred all over the state. They are typically started by lightning strikes or power lines and spread quickly under drought conditions.
Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency, and the state temporarily banned open campfires.
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