Brush Fires Ignite Easily In Florida County

Jan. 26, 2006
Fire officials are searching for causes to at least three fires but said it does not take much to spark wildfires this time of year

Firefighters in south Orange County, Fla., battled at least three brush fires early Thursday in what is shaping up to be a busy wildfire season, according to a Local 6 News report.

MAP: Red Flag Warnings

The largest wildfire broke out in near the Meadow Woods subdivision Wednesday afternoon and flared-up early Thursday.

Flames scorched about 100 acres of land but did not threaten homes or roads.

Another brush fire about 10 miles away near the Holden Estates area in Orange County sparked Thursday morning. Firefighters were able to contained the fire before it was able to cause much damage.

Fire officials are searching for causes to at least three fires but said it does not take much to spark wildfires this time of year.

"Cigarette butts, vehicle parked on the side of the road, their catalytic converters can set the woods on fire as well," Orange County Fire Rescue Lt. Richard Reynolds said. "Any kind of heat right now will get the woods going."

Plenty of rain fell in the summer of 2005 and allowed plants to grow. However, now that Central Florida is moving into a dry season with low humidity and high winds, more brush fires are possible, Local 6 reporter Jessica Sanchez said.

Firefighters are bracing for an active brush fire season between February and the end of April.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

Copyright 2006 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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