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Florida is home to millions of residents who enjoy the state's beautiful scenery and warm climate. But few people realize that these qualities also create severe wildfire conditions. Each year, thousands of acres of wildland and many homes are destroyed by fires that can erupt at any time of the year from a variety of causes, including arson, lightning and debris burning. Adding to the fire hazard is the growing number of people living in new communities built in areas that were once wildland. This growth places even greater pressure on the state's wildland firefighters. As a result of this growth, wildland fire protection becomes everyone's responsibility. According to the Demographic Estimating Conference, Florida's will continue to grow by more than 300,000 people a year and will top 22 million residents in 2022 (https://www.bizeournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/07/25/florid a-growth-to-top-300-000-people-a-year.html). Much of the growth has occurred in the undeveloped areas. The trend has created a complex landscape known as the Wildland/Urban Interface, a set of conditions under which wildland fires move beyond trees and undergrowth to threaten neighborhoods. Ensuring a home is compatible with nature can help save it and the entire community when wildfire strikes. Florida's wildfire season is twelve months long. Indian River County has wildfires throughout the year. The most active part the year is typically December through the beginning of June. Generally, Indian River County experiences the greatest number of wildfires during March, April, and May. On average, Indian River County has 21.1 wildfires a year depending on weather conditions. South Florida has several areas of spot building where homes are built in neighborhoods with large, unmanaged properties nearby where little or no regular landscape maintenance is conducted. Local governments often require neighborhoods to maintain designated preserves or conservation areas where plants and wildlife must remain untouched. Work in the preserves is often restricted to minimize the impacts forwildlife and native vegetation. Yet these preserves must still be managed. Fire plays an important role because Florida plants and animals rely on it. Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 36