Polk County has been ablaze as Polk County Fire Rescue crews were deployed to combat over 30 brush fires this past Sunday, according to an official release from Polk County. The most voracious of the flames consumed an expanse of more than 400 acres near State Road 60 in the River Ranch vicinity, leaving an indeterminate count of camps charred, while, fortunately, sparing homes and structures within the Westgate River Ranch Resort area as of Sunday evening.
Despite the expansive nature of the burn, no evacuations have yet been ordered for River Ranch residents, informed Polk County Fire Rescue Chief Shawn Smith. In an statement obtained by Polk County, Chief Smith highlighted the caprice of brush fires and the part high winds can play.
As a harbinger of continued danger, the Florida Forestry Service will be keeping a vigilant watch on the River Ranch fire through the night. Following closures due to safety concerns, State Road 60 was cleared and reopened around 9 p.m. on Sunday. Chief Smith took a moment to underscore the significance of the current burn ban, pointing to a perilous concoction of extreme drought, insignificant rainfall, recent gusty winds, and the blatant disregard of the ban by some individuals as catalysts for the rampant brush fires.
"It seems that brush fires have been a constant issue throughout the day today. I just want to remind everybody that there are serious drought conditions in Polk County," Chief Smith said, whose statement reflects the vivid recount of the day's fiery trials. "These illegal recreational fires need to cease." A separate conflagration ensued off the Osceola Polk Line Road in Davenport, where the inferno razed approximately 68 acres, along with four non-dwelling structures. Support was rallied from fire departments across Davenport, Haines City, Dundee, and Orange County, joining forces in the fray against the flames.
While the blazes have scorched land and structures, no bodily harm was reported, signaling a small respite in an otherwise turbulent and fiery Sunday.
