Big Pine Key Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 7

Monroe County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are co-hosting Big Pine Key Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at Station 13, 390 Key Deer Blvd., Big Pine Key. Both organizations are partnering with the National Fire Protection Association to promote simple tips to protect your home and community from wildfires.

Preparation tips include planning two ways out of your neighborhood and clearing pine needles, leaves, and other debris from roofs, gutters, and decks. Disposal of lawn cuttings can reduce fuel for wildfire as well as keeping your lawns mowed and hydrated.

The event will have free fire prevention materials and snow cones. Children can also tour a fire truck and brush truck and meet firefighters and forest rangers along with Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey the Bear.

“After the Big Pine Key wildfire in 2018, we want the community to be especially aware of the hazards of living near pine hammocks,” said Monroe County Fire Chief Steve Hudson. “Knowing how to prevent wildfires is extremely important throughout the Florida Keys, especially in more rural areas.”

Source: News Flash • Monroe County, FL • CivicEngage