Florida Archives - Page 9 of 18

Wildfire in Polk County, Florida destroys 12 homes

Bill GabbertFebruary 17, 2017February 17, 2017UncategorizedCR 630E Fire, Florida, Polk County3 Comments

The fire has burned approximately 5,000 acres.

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.

map Polk County Florida Fire — Map showing the perimeter of the CR 630 E Fire, February 17, 2017.

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.

fire tower Polk County Florida burning — Kevin Watler, an official with Polk County, confirmed that this Florida Forest Service fire tower burned on Wednesday. The original source of the photo is unknown.

Prescribed fire in the Everglades

Bill GabbertFebruary 9, 2017February 8, 2017UncategorizedEverglades, Florida, prescribed fire

Sometimes bigger is better…. Everglades National Park encompasses an ecosystem of over 1.5 million acres. Those acres, many of which are fire adapted, require treatment with fire on a 3-7 year return interval. To do this successfully we often have to think "big box". This week and next we are utilizing fire to reduce fuel loading and knock back exotic plant species across 100,000 acres of coastal prairie lands from Everglades City to Flamingo. Within days of burning we will start to see a healthier and more robust ecosystem bounce back.

A video posted by Michael Gue (@young_men_and_fire) on Feb 8, 2017 at 7:46pm PST

Prescribed fire at Everglades National Park HQ

Bill GabbertDecember 24, 2016UncategorizedFlorida, prescribed fire2 Comments

“Burning with an audience” Spectators gathered as the crew ignited the garden beds around Headquarters and the Visitor Center. Next time you are visiting the park take a look at what’s growing around the buildings. You will find native plants that are fire adapted and need prescribed fire to stay healthy and in check.

A photo posted by Michael Gue (@young_men_and_fire) on Dec 23, 2016 at 3:37pm PST

I have conducted prescribed fires near structures, but not THIS close.

Fire in Indian River County, Florida

Bill GabbertOctober 24, 2016August 25, 2019UncategorizedFlorida

Above: Aerial photo of the fire in Blue Cypress Conservation Area, October 24, 2016. Florida Forest Service.

(UPDATED at 1:30 p.m. EDT October 25, 2016)

The Florida Forest Service reported today that the wildfire east of Vero Beach, named the Johnny Marsh Fire, self-extinguished when the grass fire reached willow trees. The estimate of 1,000 acres will be updated after an aerial recon Tuesday afternoon.

The photo below is from Monday.

#IndianRiverCounty UPDATE Blue Cypress Con Area @SJRWMD #wildfire is now 1,000 acres. It’s 3 miles long (North to S) & one mile wide (E to W pic.twitter.com/nNLmeheDD8

— FFS Okeechobee (@FFS_Okeechobee) October 24, 2016

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(Originally published at 5:14 p.m. EDT October 24, 2016)

The Florida Forest Service is responding to a wildfire in Indian River County in the Blue Cypress Conservation Area 19 miles west of Vero Beach. At 4 p.m. EDT they reported it was about 1,000 acres, and three miles long (north-south) by 1 miles wide.

The fire was reported Sunday evening and continues to grow on Monday.

map wildfire indian river county florida — Map showing heat detected at a wildfire by a satellite at 12:30 p.m. EDT October 24, 2016.

wildfire indian river county florida — Aerial photo of the fire in Blue Cypress Conservation Area, October 24, 2016. Florida Forest Service.

Painting with flame

Bill GabbertMay 4, 2016May 4, 2016UncategorizedFlorida, Jennifer Brown, prescribed fire

Jennifer Brown, who has produced at least six excellent short films featuring wildland fire, partnered with the former Fire Management Officer at Everglades National Park, Rick Anderson, to make this video, Burning Florida. The footage was gathered at a prescribed fire last week in the Florida Dry Prairie at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. The film has shots from the air (quadcopter) and ground along with the dedication from Mr. Anderson.