Many of Florida's natural ecosystems have evolved in association with fire. Some, such as pine flatwoods, require fire to maintain their habitat. Fire occurs with greater frequency in some ecosystems more than others. Below is a quick screening tool to determine fire risk in Florida.
Low Risk:
- A clear view through the undeveloped area
- Bare ground or few plants growing low to the ground
- Improved pasture or widely spaced grassy clumps or plants
- Scattered palmettos or shrubs up to 3 feet tall separated by patches of grass or sand
- Grasses to 4 feet tall (except Cogongrass)
- Continuous thin layer of pine needles under scattered pine trees
- Large trees, or mostly broadleaf trees
- Oak leaves or broad leaves covering the ground
- Moist forest or hardwood swamp
Medium Risk:
- A clear view above the shrubs into the undeveloped area
- Continuous thick layer of pine needles and scattered pine trees
- Grasses 4-6 feet tall (or Cogongrass)
- Palmetto or gallberry (Ilex glabra) 3 to 6 feet tall with scattered pine trees
- Scrub vegetation less than 6 feet tall with or without sand pine
- Dense, young pine trees 20 to 60 feet tall
- Cypress swamp
High Risk:
- No clear view into the undeveloped area because of dense growth
- Thick, continuous grasses, weeds, or shrubs more than 3 feet tall
- Palmetto/Gallberry over 6 feet tall with scattered pine trees
- Palmetto/Gallberry 3 to 6 feet tall with a dense pine canopy (75% crown closure)
- Thick vines growing up trees
- Medium-size trees or cabbage palms beneath taller pine trees
- Impenetrable shrubs or young pines
- Scrub vegetation over 6 feet tall, with or without sand pine
Extreme Risk:
- Palmetto/Gallberry over 6 feet tall with dense pine canopy
- Sand pine scrub with dense pine canopy
- Dense Melaleuca
Source: Florida Department of Community Affairs (2004). Wildfire mitigation in Florida. http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/DCP/hazardmitigation/pubs.htm
