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May 6, 2008 5:49 pm US/Eastern
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Lake "O" Wildfires Lead To Smoke Health Advisory
2 Wildfires Burning In Lake Okeechobee
Officials Say Fires Were Intentionally Set
Arson Alert Hotline: 1-800-342-5869
UNDATED (CBS4) ―
South Florida residents, especially those who live in western Broward County, may be bothered by the smell of smoke or fire. The fire is actually burning farther to the north in Lake Okeechobee.
There are two brush fires burning in the Lake and the smoke from those fires may be what South Florida residents can smell. The smoky haze has also led Broward County health officials to issue a smoke health advisory for people with breathing problems.
To the south, the Miami-Dade County Health Department is advising people with respiratory (such as asthma) or heart disease, the elderly and children to avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
"I could smell it and it smelled real heavy," said Chalamar Ganes in Ft. Lauderdale who was shocked to find out the fires were near Lake Okeechobee.
"Just haze," said George Marante looking out over Ft. Lauderdale beach, "you can tell there's a fire."
Residents in South Florida who smell smoke are being asked not to call 911 unless they actually see flames or a fire. The BSO Communications Center has been inundated with calls regarding smoke investigations. BSO says there are no confirmed brush fires in Broward County at this time.
Doctors say if you are susceptible to smoky conditions you may want to skip outdoor activities until the haze lifts.
"Avoid exercise or things that may aggravate any kind of respiratory problem, like mowing the lawn," said Dr. Glenn Singer with Broward General Medical Center.
Click here for a Fast Facts on the Broward Health Smoke Advisory.
The smell of smoke is expected to stick around until easterly winds from the Atlantic Ocean get stronger in the afternoon.
According to the Florida Division of Forestry the fires have been burning since Saturday. So far, 4-thousand acres have burned inside Lake Okeechobee where water would have normally been. Flames extend for more than 5 miles and advanced about a quarter of a mile on Tuesday.
No homes are being threatened by the brush fires. The potential growth of these wildfires is up to 6-thousand acres, said Melissa Yunas, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with the Division of Forestry.
Yunas says the fires are contained to the dry lake bed near Moore Haven, about 80 miles west of West Palm Beach, where dry marsh and grass islands within the lake are burning and causing a smoke nuisance. Firefighters say the blaze is contained within Lake Okeechobee's dike.
There's also a concern about visibility on US 27. The road is not shut down but smoke advisory signs are posted. Smoke may create conditions where visibility on roadways is seriously impaired. Under these conditions drivers need to: turn on low-beam headlights, slow down and be prepared to leave the roadway if conditions continue to deteriorate.
Forestry officials believe the Lake Okeechobee fires, known as the "Myakka Cut Wildfire", and the "Grassy Island Wildfire", were deliberately set and they're asking anyone who has information to call the toll free Arson Alert Hotline (1-800-342-5869). You may be eligible for up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of a woods arsonist.
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