Fla. Issues State of Emergency Over Fires

[Eugene]

Fla. Issues State of Emergency Over Fires


Tuesday May 9, 2006 5:01 AM

AP Photo WXS602

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency Monday
as brush fires burned more than 8,000 acres, destroyed homes and forced authorities
to shut down highways.

Officials are tracking about 50 active wildfires throughout the water-parched state,
and Bush said lightning was probably not to blame in most cases.

"The likelihood is most of these fires have been created by either negligence or people
doing harm," he said.

A fire in New Smyrna Beach has consumed about 1,300 acres and destroyed three homes.
But most of the 1,000 people who were ordered to evacuate Sunday returned home Monday
afternoon said Timber Weller, a spokesman for the state Division of Forestry.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5809531,00.html

[napi21]

1. I feel bad for the people who lost or are losing their homes.

That has to be a terrible thing for anybody. Since I don't know anything about Fl, what is New Smyrna Beach like? Do they have a large population? Are the homes new or old?

Such a sad situation.

[Chipper Chat]

2. New Smyrna Beach is just north of the Kennedy Space Center.

The fires are mostly in wooded areas that contain alot of pine trees. Some people build on the edges of these woods, and high winds can cause fires to jump into residential areas. In the early morning hours the smoke settles near the ground and has caused fatal crashes on I-95. Also the smell has caused residents of Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island to flee indoors. Not a pleasant smell either! Hats off to the firefighters and volunteer homeowners who are fighting the battle admirably.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. At least it's raining down here this morning

I hope they're getting some of this rain over in New Smyrna Beach. It's only a couple of hours away from here.

[Chipper Chat]

4. Not a drop in Merritt Island. Unfortunately.

Maybe wednesday. Hope Hope.