Wildfire threatens Florida subdivision

Wind caused a controlled burn to get out of hand in Sarasota County

SARASOTA, Florida (CNN) -- A wildfire in Sarasota County destroyed at least one home and threatened more in a subdivision Wednesday, and was spreading toward a nearby town. High wind hampered firefighters trying to gain control of the blaze.

"The fire has jumped Interstate 75 and is headed toward North Port," said Florida Forestry Division spokesman Jim Harrell.

A wildfire in Sarasota County threatened a subdivision Wednesday as high winds hampered firefighters trying to gain control of the blaze.

"Seven local and state fire departments are on hand," he said. "We have about 80 different people combating the fire. The winds are about 17 mph, moving the fire south of Sarasota County toward Charlotte County."

VIDEO CNN's Joie Chen talks with Sarasota County fire official Jeff Aaron about the blaze Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES Florida weather forecasts

Aaron said he hoped the wind would die down to about 8 mph Wednesday night, giving firefighters a chance to get the upper hand.

The controlled burn that started the fire was set by a contractor working for the county, Aaron said.

"The conditions were right. There was very little wind. Within about four hours the winds suddenly picked up and started spreading the flames," he said.

A fire destroyed about 6,000 acres in the drought-stricken area 11 months ago.

"You light a match and it starts burning," he said.

Firefighters in central Florida were battling several wildfires, some that officials said were started intentionally.

Harrell blamed an arsonist for the largest fire, which has destroyed 16,500 acres since it began Tuesday along the Kissimmee River in northwest Okeechobee County.

"One structure was lost, along with two 500-gallon fuel tanks," Harrell said. An unknown number of hunting shacks also were destroyed, he added. The fire was 75 percent contained.

Arson is suspected in a fire that has destroyed 665 acres in Osceola County. About 50 homes had to be evacuated Tuesday in the Bay Lakes subdivision, Harrell said. None of the homes were damaged, but some outbuildings were destroyed by the fire, which was 70 percent contained.

Firefighters have a 450-acre fire in Marion County 90 percent contained, said Harrell. At least 30 homes were evacuated when the fire began Monday.

In the northwest part of the state another fire has consumed 300 acres in Dixie County near Old Town, 45 miles west of Gainesville. Harrell said that fire began April 6 when an approved trash fire got out of control. No homes have been damaged and the fire was 80 percent contained.

Harrell said 26 percent of the fires in Florida are started by arsonists. Twenty percent are started by approved trash fires that get out of control. Lightning starts many fires during the summer, he said.

Forecasters expect no significant rainfall for at least a week, said Harrell, and he predicted that the weekend could bring more fast-moving fires.

"It's touch and go in the near future," he said, "but forecasters expect better chances of rain in the next six to eight weeks."

John Zarrella: Florida wildfire threat
February 9, 2001
A formula for Florida wildfires
February 9, 2001

Florida Division of Forestry
Florida's Forest Protection Bureau

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