Florida awarded stimulus money to fight wildfires
Mar 17, 2009
South Florida Business Journal–March 17, 2009
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has been awarded $900,000 under the federal stimulus plan to conduct wildfire prevention efforts.
The money, which is being provided by the U.S. Forest Service, will allow the Florida Division of Forestry “to conduct prescribed burning to minimize the impact of wildfires, conduct other hazardous fuel reduction activities and provide community information and education to Florida residents living near high wildfire-risk areas,” according to a news release.
Some of the projects are designed to lessen the density of vegetation. Others will provide community information so that residents can learn how to lower their home and community’s wildfire risk.
The agency will work in partnership with other land management organizations and engage Florida contractors in the project as a key element of the federal stimulus program is job creation, according to the news release.
The funding comes as Florida deals with tough wildfire season the result of the lack of rainfall through the fall and winter.