With an intensifying drought anticipated to last at least through mid-May, the Central Florida region faces a serious threat for destructive wildfires that can spark quickly and spread rapidly, meteorologists and emergency officials said.
“One of the things that is concerning to us is that there are still a lot of downed trees [in wooded areas] from last year’s hurricanes,” said Chief David Kilbury, public safety director for Lake County. “That is a tremendous fuel load. …. And some of those are pine trees have sap and oils that can ignite quickly.”
The lack of significant rainfall this year — combined with the recent toasty temperatures and breezy days that dry out vegetation — led Seminole, Orange and Volusia counties to issue burn bans this week prohibiting the lighting of open fires outdoors — including bonfires, campfires and the burning of yard debris. Lake County had already done so…