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Polk County Homes Evacuated As 200-Acre Fire Threatens

News Channel 8 photo by ANTHONY ALLRED

Fire crews tackle the Brooker Creek blaze this afternoon.

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By RUSSELL RAY

rray@tampatrib.com

Published: March 28, 2009

Updated:

One home was destroyed and three others damaged in a large brush fire north of Lake Wales, where 200 homes have been evacuated.

About 50 children from a Lions camp near the 200-acre blaze also were moved from the area.

About 70 firefighters from several departments are battling the blaze near Tiger Lake Road in Polk County.

"Winds have been an issue all day long," said Kristin Guira, a spokeswoman for the Division of Forestry. The winds have died down, however, fire officials said.

Officials did not know if anyone was inside any of the mobile homes that were damaged and destroyed. No injuries have been reported.

Residents may be allowed to return to their homes in the next few hours once it is determined it is safe to do so, fire officials said.

The fire is 80 percent contained, they said.

Officials said windy conditions could fuel the fire's spread in an area that has had little rainfall this year, but the winds have died down.

The American Red Cross has set up a shelter for evacuees at the River Ranch Recreation Center, 30122 River Ranch Boulevard, in Lake Wales.

Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk County Emergency Management crews were aided by personnel from the Lake Wales Fire Department, Auburndale Fire Department, Dundee Fire Department, Division of Forestry and Frostproof Fire Department.

In northern Pinellas County, a 25-acre blaze south and east of Keystone Road has been contained, according to the East Lake Fire Department. Six homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Smoke was expected to linger for several hours near Brooker Creek Preserv, officials said.

In Pasco County, firefighters hoped to burn out a 250-acre brush fire near Big Cypress Swamp by scorching about 500 acres in a controlled burn. No homes were in danger.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870.

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