Hill 'n Dale hit with brush fire Thursday. ...more

January 7, 2010

Firefighters in three counties are battling at least six brush fires that sparked today in the Tampa Bay area. ...more

February 26, 2009

In the wake of a brush fire that threatened homes in southwest Pasco County, county commissioners on Tuesday will consider an emergency action to ban all burning countywide. ...more

February 21, 2009

The National Weather Service in Ruskin is forecasting cold weather in Highlands County, with temperatures tonight expected to dip to 31. ...more

January 16, 2009

The turmoil surrounding the economy with bailouts, foreclosures and businesses closing, ...more

December 1, 2008

With so much rain soaking Highlands County, and the drought index relatively low at 333, the state is issuing burn permits, according to Tim Elder, Florida Division of Forestry forest area supervisor for Highlands and Glades counties. ...more

October 17, 2008

Fall arrives today, or so the calendar says. It may mean something to the rest of the country, but in Florida, where the peak of the sultry hurricane season passed less than two weeks ago, summer drags on. ...more

September 22, 2008

One person was found dead inside a burned-out house Friday after a wind-fueled wildfire swept through a rural community in the Sierra Nevada foothills, a rare human casualty among the hundreds of blazes that have tormented the state for weeks. ...more

July 12, 2008

Residents of Leisure Lakes had a frightening reminder this past week of what can happen with a brush fire. Nearly 400 acres of land were burned, homes and other structures were threatened. People had to evacuate and resources were expended by several fire departments. Fortunately nobody was injured. Although it was said to be an accident, the fire really never should have started. Apparently a resident was burning yard trash and red-hot material escaped. ...more

February 17, 2008

Another hurricane season has come and gone and fortunately our state avoided the big storms this year. However, we can't let down our guard because another potentially dangerous time – brush fire season – is upon us. While brush fire season doesn't seem to draw the attention as hurricanes do, wild fires can be deadly and destructive. If you don't believe that, check with the folks in California. Now is the time to make homes as safe as possible from the threat of brush fires. ...more

December 17, 2007