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There are four types of wildfires: <br /> • Surface Fires: Burn along the forest floor consuming <br /> the litter layer and small branches on or near the <br /> ground. <br /> • Ground Fires: Smolder or creep slowly underground. <br /> These fires usually occur during periods of prolonged <br /> drought and may burn for weeks or months until <br /> sufficient rainfall extinguishes the fire, or it runs out of <br /> fuel. <br /> • Crown Fires: Spread rapidly by the wind, moving <br /> through the tops of the trees. <br /> • Wildland/Urban Interface Fires: Fires occurring within <br /> the WUI in areas where structures and other human <br /> developments meet or intermingle with wildlands or <br /> vegetative fuels. Homes and other flammable structures <br /> can become fuel for WUI fires. <br /> Florida is home to millions of residents who enjoy the state's <br /> beautiful scenery and warm climate. But few people realize <br /> that these qualities also create severe wildfire conditions. Each <br /> year, thousands of acres of wildland and many homes are <br /> destroyed by fires that can erupt at any time of the year from a <br /> variety of causes, including arson, lightning and debris burning. <br /> Adding to the fire hazard is the growing number of people living <br /> in new communities built in areas that were once wildland.This <br /> growth places even greater pressure on the state's wildland <br /> firefighters. As a result of this growth, fire protection becomes <br /> everyone's responsibility. <br /> Florida's population has nearly tripled in the last century, and <br /> much of the growth has occurred in the undeveloped areas. <br /> The trend has created a complex landscape known as the <br /> Wildland/Urban Interface, a set of conditions under which <br /> wildland fires move beyond trees and undergrowth to threaten <br /> neighborhoods. Ensuring a home is compatible with nature can <br /> help save it and the entire community when wildfire strikes. <br /> Florida's wildfire season is twelve months long. Indian <br /> River County has wildfires throughout the year. The most <br /> active part the year is typically December through the <br /> beginning of June. Generally, Indian River County experiences <br /> the greatest number of wildfires during April, May, and June. <br /> On average, Indian River County has 23 wildfires a year <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 32 <br />