JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The cold and dry conditions are already impacting local firefighters. They're worried the weather will make it even more difficult for them to put out flames.
According to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, a house fire that broke out Saturday afternoon in the St. Nicholas area is the perfect example.
"There was quite a bit of wind pushing the fire through the house. You can tell the temperatures are dropping," said Andy White, JFRD.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The seven people that lived in the house are now homeless.
According to Mark Treglio with the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, the job gets harder as conditions get drier and colder. "With the dryness there is no humidity to help with extinguishment," said Treglio.
Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing Saturday night and into the upper 20's by Sunday morning causing many people to use space heaters.
Treglio says prevention is key. "Try to keep the space heater a little farther away from your bed or your sofa or other furniture, curtains and drapes for that matter," said Treglio.
Many space heater related fires tend to happen at night when the devices are left unattended.
