Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are reminding Floridians how they can help report suspicious fire activity in Florida’s wildlands and forests during Arson Awareness Week, May 3-9, 2026. Much of the state is under county-mandated burn bans as May begins, and the state has had a busy wildfire season with over 1,900 wildfires already recorded, burning almost 120,000 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are reminding Floridians how they can help report suspicious fire activity in Florida’s wildlands and forests during Arson Awareness Week, May 3-9, 2026. Much of the state is under county-mandated burn bans as May begins, and the state has had a busy wildfire season with over 1,900 wildfires already recorded, burning almost 120,000 acres.

“Florida is already in a historic drought this year, and arson is a serious crime that not only threatens property and our natural resources, but it also risks the lives of our citizens and our wildland firefighters,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Our department does not tolerate anyone who purposefully endangers the lives of Floridians, and we are committed to bringing arsonists to justice. If you see suspicious activity, help protect the lives of citizens and first responders by reporting it.”

Arson on wooded lands costs Florida taxpayers millions of dollars each year. It’s a felony and is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, five years in prison, or both.

“This year has already been a busy one for our state’s wildland firefighters, and man-made fires are the top cause of these fires,” said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service. “We’re highlighting the dangers of wildfire arson because one careless or criminal act can put lives at risk and devastate thousands of acres.”

When reporting suspicious arson activity, callers should remember the following:

• After calling 911, call the Arson Alert Hotline at (800) 342-5869.
• Do not approach the suspect.
• Identify physical descriptions of suspects.
• Identify vehicle descriptions and license plates.
• Identify the location where suspicious behavior was observed.
• Callers can remain anonymous, and information leading to the arrest of an arsonist could result in a reward of up to $5,000. To learn more, visit FDACS.gov/Arson.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland, and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

###