Crime & Safety
Fire Risks High In Tampa Bay As Memorial Day Weekend Approaches
Fire officials are warning residents not to celebrate with bonfires, fireworks or tiki torches.
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Even the smallest fire can become an uncontrollable blaze this time of the year.
That's the message from Pasco County Fire Rescue public information officer Corey Dierdorff following such an incident on Sunday.
On Sunday, a property owner on Pinto Drive in Hudson started a small burn pit and thought he had completely extinguished the fire before heading inside.
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Instead, the small burn pit spread, leading to the loss of a car, two sheds, a small pole born and lawn equipment. Fortunately, Pasco County firefighters were able to keep it from spreading to nearby woods.
A small burn pit in Hudson, quickly spread to a property owner's car, two sheds, a small pole barn and lawn equipment.
"We want to remind everyone that it is extremely dry right now," said Dierdorff. "We ask every resident to refrain from burning outdoors for any reason."
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A lack of rain, low humidity and an easterly breeze in Tampa Bay prompted the National Weather Service to issue several "red flag warnings' over the weekend due to increased fire danger and discouraged residents from any outdoor burning.
Conditions are predicted to remain equally precarious throughout the week with zero percent chance of rain in the forecast and humidity around 35 percent.
Normal rainfall in Tampa Bay from Jan. 1 to March 31 is about 8 inches. This year, Tampa Bay has received 5.63 inches of rain and, further south, Fort Myers has received only 3.99 inches, according to the Florida Forest Service.
On Tuesday, a majority of counties around Florida were painted red on the Florida Forest Service Fire Danger Indices map, indicating a "very high" fire danger. Five counties were flagged for "extreme" fire danger.
The Forest Service has placed a ban on issuing all burn authorizations as a result.
The Florida Forest Service reported there have been 1,096 wildfires in Florida since Jan. 1, burning 32,808 acres.
Dierdorff is reminding residents to take care as they celebrate the Memorial Day weekend.
Don't use fireworks; don't use tiki torches or other outdoor lanterns and definitely don't start a bonfire, he said.
"It is just a bad time right now," said Dierdorff. "Conditions are perfect for a fast-spreading wildfire. We remind residents not to burn outside today for any reason."
See related story: Most Florida Wildfires Occur In April, State's Driest Month
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