When the Florida Forest Service decides that vehicles, fire towers and other equipment are no longer needed, those items are sold as surplus state property. All surplus items will be listed on the Public Surplus website for seven days. At the end of the seven-day period, the person who submits the highest bid is the winner.
Interested in Purchasing Surplus Equipment?
During the sale: Potential buyers may phone to set up appointments to view equipment. It is your right per auction terms and accommodations. Appointments should be set up during business hours. Buyers are not allowed to test drive equipment. The equipment can be started but must not be moved.
After the sale: Once the Florida Forest Service receives the payment from Public Surplus, the buyer will be contacted to schedule pickup. At any time the buyer may contact whoever has possession of the surplus property for general information.
Interested in Purchasing a Fire Tower?
Before you bid on a fire tower, you should be aware that:
- Prospective bidders are allowed to visit the fire tower site to view the tower before submitting a bid. However, they may not be allowed to climb the stairs to the tower cabin due to safety and liability concerns.
- The high bidder is expected to dismantle and deliver the tower to its new destination. Fire towers are usually dismantled in sections with the assistance of a buyer-provided crane and loaded on a buyer-provided flatbed and hauled away. Florida Forest Service staff will usually witness the tower removal to make sure no damage occurs to Forestry property at the site. The cost of dismantling and moving a fire tower is typically higher than the cost of the tower itself, especially if the buyer must contract people and equipment to dismantle and haul the fire tower away.
Want to Be Notified When Vehicles, Fire Towers and Other Surplus Equipment Is for Sale?
If you would like to be notified when a fire tower is being advertised on Public Surplus, contact Wendy Fields at (850) 681-5848 or Wendy.Fields@FDACS.gov.
