Florida Agriculture Commissioner, Nikki Fried was in Collier County on Monday to discuss the 36 Avenue SE brush fire.

During a press conference, state officials said the brush fire that started last week in Collier County has burned more than 8,500 acres and was 50% contained.

Commissioner Nikki Fried, who oversees the Florida Forest Service, said brush fires have erupted across the state over the last two weeks.

"We are at the height of our fire season, so it's really important that every single person out there regardless of where you live, that you are heeding all of your warnings in your local areas," Fried said.

Fried said people should avoid creating trash fires and advises those who want to grill outdoors to do so at 10 feet away from any structures and to make sure no branches are above their grills.

"We have significant drought in central and south Florida," Fried said. "While we all are doing the rain dance on a pretty frequent basis, this is not the time for anybody in the state of Florida to be taking their guards down."

Sean Allen of the Florida Forest Service Caloosahatchee Field District said chances for rain are low during this time and the potential for fires is high.

Allen and Commissioner Fried encourage Floridians to follow local emergency management departments for the latest opdates on brush fires.