Wildfires are in season all year long in Florida, how to protect your home if you live in or near a wooded area

BRADENTON, FL (WWSB) - Right now extremely dry weather is keeping firefighters busy.

There are 31 active wildfires right now in the state that have burned over 34,000 acres.

On the Suncoast there have already been more than 3 dozen wildfires just in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Crews at the Florida Forest Service in Bradenton are on call around the clock to respond to any wildfires that may ignite at any time.

According to the Florida Forest Service, the number of wildfires have increased every year.

So far this year, there's already been 22 wildfires in Sarasota County, compared to just 14 during the same time period last year.

In Manatee County there has been 17 wildfires this year compared to last year's 7 wildfires.

Robbie Jefferson, a State Wildland Firefighter tells us many of these fires are caused by people burning illegally in their yards, camp fires going out of control, bee smokers and lawn mowers catching on fire.

Jefferson says in order to burn debris a call must got out to the Florida Forest Service to get approved based on weather conditions. 

In addition to dry weather conditions and  lightening season around the corner, Hurricane Irma debris is also contributing to the number of wildfires. 

That debris could ignite into flames if lightening strikes.

Patrick Mahoney with the Florida Forest Service tells us you should make sure your yard is clean and green, meaning grass is alive and cut down low.

Plants should also be waist high and leaves should be racked away from the home.

Also use rocks to in your yard instead of pine needles as mulch.

Rocks will create a barrier 

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