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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 />