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Okeechobee Fire Report
Posted
Special to Lake Okeechobee News
Okeechobee Fire Report
The following represent some of the calls OCFR responded to in recent weeks:
On June 13, OCFR was dispatched to 27123 Northwest 72nd Avenue at approximately 5:30 p.m. regarding a brush fire. When they arrived, DOF was already on the scene. OCFR was asked to put out the fire on the south side of the ranch road while DOF handled the north side. The fire was approximately 2 acres.
On June 13 at approximately 10 p.m., OCFR was dispatched to the 1600 block of Southwest 10th Court regarding a building fire. When they arrived, they found a shed fully engulfed in flames and partially collapsed. After the fire was extinguished, an investigation reportedly found the shed was being used as an apartment and had multiple electrical appliances powered by a 100’ 15-amp cord. The owner said the shed was not insured.
OCFR was dispatched too Southeast 59th Boulevard at approximately 11:30 a.m. on June 13 regarding a vehicle fire. When they arrived, they found a tractor trailer on fire. When they arrived, they found the vehicle’s back trailer wheels on fire and the driver safely out of the vehicle. The driver told firefighters he pulled over when he noticed smoke.
On June 14, they were dispatched to 11235 U.S. 98 North at approximately 6:30 p.m. in regard to a brush fire. When they arrived, they found two separate fires, one measuring about 4 acres and the other about 8 acres. Forest Service (DOF) responded as well and plowed a line around the fires in order to contain it. The cause of the fire was determined to be a lightning strike.
On June 16, they responded to 17545 N.W. 270th Street at approximately 5:15 p.m. regarding a brush fire. When they arrived, they found approximately 5 acres burning. DOF arrived and plowed a line around the fire. In all the fire consumed approximately 7.5 acres.
On June 18 at approximately 2 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the 5700 block of Northwest 24th Street regarding a vehicle fire. When they arrived, they found a 2016 F150 Lariat charred but without smoke or flames. The owner of the vehicle told firefighters a neighbor saw the truck burning and notified him. The owner reportedly said he thought a battery in the back of the truck might have caused the fire.
On June 22 at approximately 1:45 p.m. OCFR responded to the 400 block on Northeast 300th Street regarding a brush fire. When they arrived, they found a 15–20-acre heavy brush fire heading toward an open field. They were able to stop the fire at the field, and DOF plowed a line around it. The fire jumped the plow line twice, but a new line was quickly established. The fire burned approximately 59 acres.
On June 23, OCFR responded to mile marker 181 on the Florida Turnpike at approximately 6 a.m. regarding a vehicle fire. When they arrived, they found a semi cab on fire along with ¼ of the trailer. The trailer was hauling flour. All traffic was blocked as firefighters worked to contain the fire. The flour continued to smolder despite attempts to extinguish it completely and the fire was only completely extinguished when the tow truck arrived and pulled the cab away from the trailer so the water could be aimed directly at the flour. The scene was then turned over to FHP.
