With wildfires burning throughout state, Pasco Fire unveils two new firefighting tools
Haley Hinds reports
HUDSON, Fla. - With the holiday weekend just a few days away and Florida continuing a stretch of bone-dry weather, fire officials are warning people to be extra careful. Wildfires are sparking easily, spreading fast, and burning thousands of acres across the state.
When a fire ignites, the clock is ticking. The challenge is not just dousing the flames but, in some cases, getting to them. With our urban interface that we have in this county, it s extremely important for us to have people on the scene quickly to protect lives and property, said Walter Lewellen, Resource Management Chief for Pasco County Fire Rescue.
Polk County wildfires burn hundreds of acres, destroy 60 hunting camps
Ken Suarez reports
RIVER RANCH, Fla - The exceedingly dry weather has created a perfect storm for wildfires. As of Wednesday afternoon, a dozen wildfires were burning in Polk County alone. We have had about a month of little to no rain, nice sunny days, warm days, low humidity, gusty winds, and it has really dried a lot of stuff out, Florida Forestry Service spokesman Todd Chlanda told FOX 13.
Wildfires are popping up all over South and Central Florida and Polk County is being hit especially hard.
The situation is so serious, crews from North Florida are in Polk County with heavy equipment to act as backup for the Forestry Service and Polk Fire Rescue.