HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — A number of wildfires have been forming due to dry conditions throughout the state.

What You Need To Know

  •  Due to high fire risk, both Pasco and Hernando counties are under burn bans

  •  Florida Forest Service says there have been more than 1,000 fires this year already

  •  Rangers are asking public to do their part in preventing fires

Both Pasco County and Hernando County are currently under burn bans, with the intention of helping to minimize the risk of fires from forming. Also helping minimize that risk is the Florida Forest Service.

The Florida Forest Service says there have been a little more than 1,000 fires this year already. That’s not even counting events to which local fire departments responded. It’s for this reason the rangers stay ready at a moment’s notice.

“We haven’t had a real significant rain for the last two months. The lower humidity during the day and the stronger winds really puts fire danger at a high level," said Brad Weller, a senior forest ranger at the Withlacoochee District.

At their office, they stand by for any wildfires at a moment’s notice.

“We try to attack them fast," he said. "We’ve got a bulldozer with a tractor plow and a type 6 brush engine. We try to get them out as fast as we can and have them contained and put out.”

Similar to other offices throughout the state, they are kitted out with some of the best resources used to fight fires. That Type 6 brush engine Weller mentioned can pump out 300 gallons of water. Just as handy to have on deck is the tractor plow, which helps clear any brush.

“When you take away the fuel, any fuels, any trees or underbrush that will burn up and we put it down to bare minimum soil- when you take that away, the fire has nowhere to go. It puts a stop in that," he said.

And there are even a few tips we can all take in helping prevent fires.

“Just be very careful starting any new sparks around your house or yard, any debris burning, cleaning out your barbecue grills- make sure you drown it completely out. Make sure that new start doesn’t happen," Weller said.

And it’s some of these everyday tasks we can all do, rangers say, that can really make a difference in preventing fires.

Hernando County is the second driest county in the state right now. This burn ban is likely to remain in effect until further notice.