ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. -- The Florida Forest Service says the rain Wednesday will not be enough to improve the dry conditions and decrease the risk for brush fires on the Treasure Coast.
Senior Ranger Jeff Curl says it might buy us a couple days at most with fewer fires.
Curl showed us around the Savannah State Preserve in St. Lucie County. It’s an area that can be prone to brush fires.
“This is a good area for fires, a lot of heavy vegetation,” Curl said.
The problem is that the brush is so thick, rain can’t easily reach the ground and moisten the soil. Wednesday, rain was steady, but still not enough to saturate the ground or plants.
“There’s a little moisture in it but not too much,” Curl said, holding dry soil in his hands.
Right now the Florida Fire Service is working to clear about 100 acres of duff in the park to reduce the risk of a fire.
They try to clear as many wooded areas as possible, and that funding will permit.
Several small fires sparked on the Treasure Coast Wednesday, but were quickly put out by fire fighters.
Fire officials say Martin and Indian River Counties still have the highest fire risk on the Treasure Coast.