Weather experts say Central Florida is "abnormally dry" and Florida officials want New Year's Eve partiers to be careful with fireworks Saturday night.

  • Central Florida considered "abnormally dry"
  • State forestry officials ask people to be careful with fireworks, campfires
  • Some rainfall in the forecast for Sunday

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam said dryness can provide good fuel for brush fires, easily ignited with fireworks or campfires.

Nataly Picard and her family spent almost $400 on fireworks to ring in the new year Friday.

“We have a large fire pit, so we set off a lot of bonfires out there. We’re going to set off some fireworks,” said Picard who lives in Crescent City, north of Pierson.

Firefighters fear fireworks, like a bottle rocket, could fall on dry brush, sparking an out-of-control fire.

According to the Dept. of Agriculture, more 3,000 wildfires have burned more than 72,000 acres across Florida since January 1, 2015.

Firefighters and Putnam don’t want careless use of fireworks to spark the first brush fire of 2017.

“We usually put the big ones out, like in a row," Picard said. "And then we all have a lighter and we run up and light them and run away and they all shoot up in the air."

The good news is warmer temperatures and some rainfall is forecasted for Sunday, reducing the fire risk.

In a release Thursday, Putnam asked Floridians planning to use fireworks to follow the following safety tips:

  • Follow all county or city fireworks laws;
  • Light fireworks on a cleared area free of any vegetation or debris;
  • Remove any debris from roofs or decks where fireworks could land;
  • Always have a water source available in case of a fire;
  • Aim fireworks away from people, homes and wooded areas;
  • Do not allow young children to light or handle fireworks;
  • Never use homemade fireworks;
  • Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water;
  • Store unused fireworks and lighters out of the reach of children;
  • Clean up all debris from fireworks; and
  • Report any fires immediately to 911.