fire firegeezer on 13 May 2008 08:54 am
Florida Governor Declares Fire Emergency
MORE THAN A DOZEN BRUSH FIRES ARE burning in Brevard and Volusia Counties, Florida, today and weather conditions continue to be unfavorable.
AP / Matay photo
With some of the fires still advancing, in one case jumping Rte. 1, and most of the state under Red Flag warnings, Governor Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency. The declaration will allow the fire departments to accept help from out of state as well as Federal emergency disaster funds.
Many areas of the central portion of the state have not had any rain in over 50 days. The extremely dry conditions coupled with continued high winds of more than 25 mph are keeping the fire services on full alert.
The largest fire going this morning is in Brevard County where 5½ sq. miles have been burned including about 70 homes. In Daytona Beach, about 80 miles north, 500 people were evacuated overnight but have since been allowed to return home.
A Brevard County home burns on Monday.
(AP/Matay photo)
In St. Lucie County, the home of a firefighter who was on duty burned down. The Treasure Coast Palm REPORTS:
Alan Civita was notified Monday afternoon while on duty that a fire was threatening his family’s home. Then he found out flames engulfed his residence.
“When Civita finally made it to his home he found that his home had completely burned to the ground, absolutely nothing remains,” a release from Fire District Deputy Chief Tom Whitley states.
The Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of St. Lucie County established a fund for Civita and his family.
Anyone who wishes to send assistance can mail it to Local 1377 Benevolent Fund, 3214 S. U.S. 1, Suite 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34982.
WTEV Ch. 47 filed this video report Tuesday morning:
