With much of South Florida in extreme drought, the danger of wildfires increases.

As of March 6, the National Fire, burning in the Big Cypress Preserve since Feb. 23 has covered more than 35,000 acres. As of March 6, that blaze was 65% contained.

Florida Forest Service has fought dozens of wildfires in the Lake Okeechobee area since the start of the year. The freeze in late January, combined with lack of rainfall, left the brush vulnerable to wildfire.

While Florida leads the nation in lighting strikes, most wildfires are caused by humans, according to Florida Forest Service. Yard debris burning and arson are the leading causes of wildfires in the Sunshine State.

Around the big lake, Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry, Palm Beach and Martin counties are all under burn bans.

Fire prevention tips include:

• Do not through cigarettes (or cigarette ash) out vehicle windows.
• Be careful not to ignite dry brush with the exhaust from vehicle – cars, trucks, ATVs or airboats.
• Be careful how you discard glass bottles – broken glass can act as a prism, concentrating heat from sunlight.
• Do not set off fireworks. (Fireworks are banned in counties under burn ban.)

Report arson! Florida Arson Alert Hotline is: 1-800-342-5869.