NewsZap.com
June 6, 2007
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2007/06/06/fl/lake_okeechobee/gla02.txt
By Nena Bolan
Wildfire burned 18,200 acres across northwest rim of Lake
Okeechobee last week.
The Frog Light Fire began burning the dried muck on the exposed Okeechobee lake
bottom in the early morning hours of Monday, May 28. More than 18,200 acres
have burned across a nine mile stretch that began close to the Pearce Canal.
The wildfire was near the communities of Buckhead Ridge and Lakeport which are
on the northwest shore of the big lake. All week smoke billowed into turbulent
clouds that resembled late summer thunder bumpers, and then drifted across
Charlotte County to the Gulf Coast.
According to Terry Helfinstine, Glades County public information officer and
911 coordinator, local authorities had to close State Road 78 for several hours
late Tuesday. By Wednesday morning the road was open again.
In Lakeport, residents of Whiskey Joe’s RV Park and the Lakeport Lodge were
asked to voluntarily evacuate and stay at Maple Grove Baptist Church for
shelter if they had no where else to go.
Ms. Helfinstine reported that multiple agencies worked together
as a team. Glades County volunteer fire departments were assisted by
neighboring counties, South Florida Water Management District, Florida Division
of Forestry and a task force from Lee County.
“We are closely watching the fire and do not expect it to cross the Harney Pond
Canal where there are homes and a Circle K store,” said Ms. Helfinstine.
A large excavation of sediment from the lake bed was begun last week close to
the Harney Pond Canal Recreation Area which is part of the Lake Okeechobee
restoration program. Glades County oversees the excavation and has been
watching the area closely because many workers and heavy equipment are
operating there. As of Friday their progress has not been threatened.
Maureen Bradley, Buckhead Ridge resident, lives very close to the Pearce Canal
which is generally believed to be the starting point of the wildfire.
“Black smoke got near us a few times, but it went west of us toward Lakeport.
You should see it burning at night. We just can’t take photos of it to really
show what it looks like,” said Ms. Bradley.
Patrick Mahoney, Florida Division of Forestry, reported on Friday
morning that Global Positioning Systems were used to help calculate that 18,200
acres had burned so far, and stretched out nine miles or more.
“It is now 75 percent contained with a good line around it. With the rain that
we have coming it is looking like we may be able to release local fire fighters
soon,” Mr. Mahoney said.
Rain from Tropical Storm Barry over the weekend helped control the muck fire,
but did little to help the falling level of Lake Okeechobee.
Currently, one of the worst Florida droughts in recorded history has
contributed to nearly 3,000 fires statewide since January. Presently, 187 are
burning with nine of them major wildfires, according to the division of
forestry.