Holy moly, no more guacamole? An invasive beetle moving through Florida could ravage the state's $30 million-a-year avocado industry as well as thousands of backyard trees. ...more

January 30, 2009

If residents don't pay attention to outdoor burning regulations, then hefty fines up to $500 might light a fire under them to be more careful, county officials figure. ...more

January 10, 2009

Crews from the state Division of Forestry and local fire rescue late Tuesday night contained a brushfire that blazed through 180 acres in northeast Pasco County. ...more

November 19, 2008

First, it was too dry. Then it was too wet. Bill Carlisle would like to set the wilds on fire, but Mother Nature isn't cooperating. ...more

July 12, 2008

A brush fire in Alturas in Polk County this afternoon has been contained, public safety spokeswoman Heather McClanahan said. Also, firefighters contained a pair of brush fires burning near each other southwest of Bartow, Polk officials said this morning. The fires, which started late Thursday, have burned about 20 acres, said Heather McLanahan, a Polk fire spokeswoman. They are near Noralyn Mine Road and County Road 640. ...more

May 30, 2008

Firefighters in Polk County are fighting a brush fire near Bartow that so far has burned about 35 acres. ...more

May 29, 2008

INDIAN LAKES ESTATES - Firefighters are battling a pair of brush in eastern Polk County. A 3-acre brush fire is burning near Toronja Dr. and Valencia Dr. in Indian Lake Estates South, east of Lake Wales, said spokeswoman Kristin Guira. A lightning strike to a tree is thought to have caused the fire. ...more

May 24, 2008

Weather conditions are making it a little easier for firefighters to combat wildfires burning in parts of Florida. ...more

May 18, 2008

AVON PARK — A fire that destroyed an isolated mobile home late Monday morning spread to the surrounding yard, then growing into a wildfire that had firefighters on alert through the afternoon, according to firefighters on scene. No injuries were reported from the Avon Park Estates mobile home on West Starr Road, which was believed to be abandoned. However, the mobile home was reduced to its cinder blocks and a floor that resembled a nearly cleared, blackened platform. ...more

May 12, 2008

SEBRING – The Highlands County Agri-Civic Center was opened as an emergency shelter at about 6:30 p.m. Monday to shelter people who had to evacuate the Henscratch Road area due to a wildfire. Gloria Rybinsky, county public information officer, said she did not have a count of how many families came to the shelter. "We do not know how many people will use this shelter," Rybinski said. "It was not a mandatory evacuation. It was a voluntary evacuation and we opened the Agri-Civic Center for people who might need this option." ...more

February 11, 2008