Lehigh Acres Fire District highlights dry brush dangers

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. - Fire officials in Lehigh Acres are warning neighbors that some of the biggest brush fire risks come from everyday activities people don’t always think about.

Lehigh Acres Fire District says dry brush, trees, and large areas of undeveloped land make the community especially vulnerable to fast-moving fires when conditions are dry and windy.

Lehigh Acres Fire District Marshal Matthew Brennan says it doesn’t take much for a fire to spread.

“With enough wind and enough fuel, it doesn’t take very long for a fire to get quickly out of control,” Brennan said.

Officials stress that fires are not only caused by open flames. They say hot vehicles parked on dry grass, ATVs and off-road vehicles driving through brush, discarded cigarettes, and even construction equipment can all spark fires in these conditions.

“Any heat source really poses a risk to us,” Brennan said.

Wind also plays a major role. Fire officials say gusty conditions can carry embers to new areas, allowing fires to start far from their original source.

“It helps transplant fires to other spots,” Brennan explained. “As we move into the spring months, the weather we all enjoy can be very problematic for fires.”

To reduce the risk, the Florida Forest Service is working throughout Lehigh Acres to clear and thin vegetation in high-risk areas. Fire officials say hurricane debris, damaged trees, and illegally dumped materials left in wooded areas can dry out and become fuel for future fires.

Some homeowners are also taking prevention into their own hands. One resident told WINK News that after experiencing a fire near his home years ago, he now clears vegetation near his property line to create a buffer between his house and nearby brush.

Another homeowner, Bethzaida Rodriguez, says fire safety wasn’t something she considered when she moved into her neighborhood.

“I never thought about fire around this area,” Rodriguez said. “Now it’s like, ‘Oh my God,’ it can happen.”

Fire officials urge residents who live near undeveloped land to keep vegetation trimmed, avoid parking or driving on dry grass, and use caution with any heat sources. They also say if you see smoke or embers, even hours after a fire appears to be out, it’s best to call 9-1-1 so crews can check the area.