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Flames in Florida

IN FLORIDA, DRY CONDITIONS HAVE CAUSED UNPREDICTABLE WILDFIRES ACROSS THE STATE -- PROMPTING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

CARSON CHAMBERS REPORTS.

Brad Rhoads/ Homeowner: "We definitely need some rain here pretty soon."

A STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN FLORIDA 107 ACTIVE BRUSHFIRES TWO OF THEM SMOLDERING IN PASCO COUNTY. THE SILVER PALM FIRE ABOUT 100 YARDS AWAY FROM HOMES. STILL NO EVACUATIONS AT THIS HOUR.

Brad Rhoads/ Homeowner: "When you get so dry like this it's so easy you know, a rock from a lawnmower lawn care company just doing some mowing or cigarette butts is a big issue for us as well."

BRAD RHOADS SHOULD KNOW, HE'S A FIREFIGHTER WHO'S WORKED IN FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA.

Brad Rhoads/ Homeowner: "You know a lot of people like to burn stuff in their backyard and stuff. It's probably not a good idea at the moment with it being so dry."

A COUNTY-WIDE BURN BAN MAY BE PUT IN PLACE AS EARLY AS TOMORROW FOR PASCO. FOR NOW FIREFIGHTERS USING HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND A HELICOPTER AND REMAIN CONFIDENT THEY CAN PROTECT HOMES.

Judith Tear/ Florida Forestry Service: "It's not running. It's not a fast moving fire so it gives us some time to get things in there and as Kevin said, it's about 12 homes that we're doing structure protection on."

FIREFIGHTERS SAY THEY WILL GO DOOR TO DOOR IF NEEDED TO EVACUATE HOMEOWNERS BUT RIGHT NOW THEY'RE HOLDING TIGHT.

Brad Rhoads/ Homeowner: "Right now it's a pretty big deal."

AUTHORITIES BLAMED AT LEAST ONE OF THESE WILDFIRES ON CHILDREN WHO WERE PLAYING WITH MATCHES -- WHICH GIVES US A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND YOU: DON’T PLAY WITH MATCHES!


Instructional Links


Interactive Map: AirNow, Current Conditions | US map of smoke & wildfire advisories

Website Article: Centers for Disease Control, Natural Disasters, Wildfires | Info & how to prepare & protect home.

PDF: Natural History Museum of Utah, Wildfires: Interesting Facts and F.A.Q.