• Okeechobee City Fire Department responded to 17 medical/EMS, one public assist, one motor vehicle accidents, two false alarms dispatch and three canceled calls between Feb. 7 and Feb. 13.
• Okeechobee County Fire Rescue responded to 160 medical/EMS, seven fire related, seven motor vehicle accidents, six aircraft standbys, four dispatch and cancel and 10 miscellaneous calls last week. Of 128 possible transports, nine were refused.
• On Feb. 9 at approximately 6 a.m., OCFR responded to a call regarding a passenger vehicle fire in the 3300 block of Southeast 36th Avenue. They were called to the address due to power lines sparking above the mobile home. While en route, they were notified the power lines had fallen on top of the trailer, but everyone made it safely out of the home. Deputies evacuated the home next door as well. When they arrived, they found the power line had fallen on a truck parked in the yard and was arcing violently on the ground. FPL was notified. The power line would stop arcing for a few seconds but then begin again, violently. The truck caught fire and the SUV nearby began to get hot. The power line was also throwing sparks toward the nearby home. FPL was asked to disable the entire grid of power, and soon the team was able to proceed. The entire cab and engine compartment of the truck had heavy fire damage, and the vehicle was 3/4 destroyed. In addition, there was some damage inside the mobile home, and the homeowner’s dog which was outside at the time of the fire was killed.

• On Feb. 9, OCFR responded to a call regarding unauthorized burning in the 17500 block of Northwest 144th Avenue at approximately & p.m. The department of forestry was requested as well. When the crew arrived, they found approximately 10 acres burning. The burn was under control but without a permit. the fire was extinguished.
• On Feb. 11 at approximately 3:30 p.m., OCFR responded to a call regarding an electrical wiring problem. When they arrived, there was no evidence of smoke or flames. The resident showed them where the arcing wires were located, and the crew made sure the breaker was off to the area. No hazards were found and the crew cleared the scene.
• On Feb. 14 at approximately 1:15 a.m., OCFR responded to a call regarding a structure fire in the 3100 block of Southeast 25th Street. When they arrived, they found a boat house in the backyard of the residence partially engulfed in flames and leaning to the side. The homeowner said he had used a barbecue grill earlier and not put out the embers. The fire was contained and the crew cleared the scene.
• On Feb. 14 at approximately 2 p.m., OCFR responded to a call regarding a brush fire in the 100 block Of Northwest 264th Street. When they arrived, they found a man clearing a lot and burning the debris. When the forest service arrived, they cleared the scene.