At least 12 homes have been destroyed in a wildfire in central Florida between Tampa and Vero Beach. Since it started near Indian Lake Estates the morning of February 15 it has burned about 5,000 acres and required the evacuation of the community for approximately 12 hours on Wednesday.
For a while on Thursday firefighters had the spread almost stopped, but strong winds caused the fire activity to pick up again near the River Ranch Hunt Club which had to be evacuated. On Friday Polk County Fire Rescue reported that approximately 100 campsite structures were destroyed at the club, where the fire is still active as of Friday afternoon.
At times early Friday morning State Road 60 had to be closed between CR 630 and Yeehaw Junction due to visibility being compromised by smoke.
All of these photos and the map were provided by Polk County Fire Rescue.
This appears to be your 120 foot (approximately) fire look out tower which was a “standard model”commonly scene throughout the U.S. There are still a few in service (sort of) with the F.S. Stanislaus N.F. still operates Duckwall Fire Lookout staffed with volunteers when needed. Question: How does a wildfire ignite a 120 foot tall look out?
I would guess the same way as when you see houses burned yet fuels surrounding the house completely unburned: Embers.
That pic of the Florida fire tower abalze is a keeper! I’d like to incorporate it into my educational collection
Hope you can verify source so I can get permission use in Power Point.
Glenn Palmer, NC Cooperatve Extension