ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Starting Friday, the Tampa Bay area will be under tighter water restrictions amid dry conditions affecting millions of Floridians.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District declared a Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage, meaning fewer opportunities to use water in order to preserve supply.
A brush fire that spread in Hernando County Sunday and prompted evacuations is a reminder of how fast fires can spread in much drier conditions. Much of the Tampa Bay area remains under at least moderate, severe or extreme drought…