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May 13, 2008 4:23 pm US/Eastern
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BSO FireFighters Ready To Help Up North
Nearly 6 Sq. Miles Have Burned In Brevard County
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
Taking a page out of the Boy Scout's handbook, firefighters with Broward Sheriff's Fire Rescue spent Tuesday getting ready to head north to help their 'brothers in arms' battle a series of wildfires in Volusia and Brevard counties.
Tuesday fire fighters spent Tuesday equipping fire engine #14 with extra firefighting and medical supplies so they will be ready to go at a moment's notice.
"We have extra chain saws for up there, we have extra MREs and water which should last us about a week and half to two weeks," said Robert Ricciordi with CSO Fire Rescue. "We are here for them just like they would be here for us if we needed their help."
Monday nearly two dozen firefighters from Palm Beach County drove up to assist firefighters in Brevard County who were trying for the third day to contain a number of fires that have scorched about 6 square miles in Palm Bay and neighboring Malabar.
"We desperately need rain," said Palm Bay Fire Marshal Mike Couture. "We don't have any, and we're not projected to get any anytime soon."
Smoke and the proximity of the flames have caused the intermittent closure of major highways in the area, including a 34-mile section of Interstate 95 south of the fires. Also, all 18 schools in Palm Bay, including charter schools, were closed Tuesday.
The worst fires raged uncontrolled in Malabar, while officials said they had "a majority" of the Palm Bay fires contained.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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