TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s still on fire.
Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday extended a wildfire emergency declaration for another 30 days.
The governor made the initial declaration on June 13 and then extended it on Aug. 4. That extension expired Tuesday.
The Florida Forestry Services reported 24 fires covering nearly 4,200 acres were burning as of Monday.
So far this year, 4,736 wildfires have scorched 295,770 acres across the state.
In June, two Forestry Service firefighters died and two others were injured while fighting a blaze near Jasper in north Florida.
Weight restrictions for trucks carrying burned timber for harvesting will continue to be lifted under Scott’s order.
Forestry officials say timber needs to be removed from burned areas to mitigate future fires.
That also will make those areas ready for reforestation.
Source: Associated Press