Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture is asking people who plan to bring in the New Year with fireworks or bonfires to be cautious. This year more than 3,000 wildfires destroyed 184,000 acres in Florida.

Freezing temperatures last month have caused dry conditions in some parts of the state.

Department of Agriculture Spokesman Terry McElroy says right now humans pose the biggest threat to wooded areas.

“Fifty percent or more of our fires are human caused. The only other cause really is lighting and we’re not in the lightning time of year."

People who plan to celebrate with fireworks or a fire should of course only do so in areas that are zoned for those activities.

Always keep plenty of water nearby and never leave a fire unattended. And when it’s time to put out the fire remember, even hot coals from a fire thought to be extinguished can reignite.