Freezing weather in parts of Florida is adding to the available fuel load in some areas. The rare three-day freeze killed off grass and other vegetation near Lakeland in Polk County, adding to the possible future workload of firefighters.
Their Keetch Byram Drought Index, and indicator of drought, is at 624, which translates to a severe danger of fires being difficult to suppress.
More information is at theledger.com
LYLE COMBEE, a firefighter with the Florida Department of Forestry, surveys a brush fire off Old Grade Road early Tuesday just east of Polk City. Photo: Jeremy Maready, The Ledger
