May 6, 2008 5:49 pm US/Eastern
Wind Will Push Smoke From Lake "O" Fires Westward
Wind Shift Will Push Smoke Towards The Gulf
2 Wildfires Burning In Lake Okeechobee
Officials Say Fires Were Intentionally Set
UNDATED (CBS4) ―
A change in the air could help South Florida breathe a little easier.
Tuesday health advisories were issued from Miami Dade to Martin counties after smoke from a 4-thousand acre wildfire in Lake Okeechobee drifted south. At risk residents, like people with breathing problems, infants and the elderly, were asked to remain indoors and limit outside activity.
Wednesday the winds are expected to shift, coming from east, which will carry the smoke and haze out towards the Gulf Coast.
"I could smell it and it smelled real heavy," said Chalamar Ganes in Ft. Lauderdale who was shocked to find out Tuesday the fires were in Lake Okeechobee.
"Just haze," said George Marante looking out over Ft. Lauderdale beach, "you can tell there's a fire."
Doctors advised people who were susceptible to smoky conditions to skip outdoor activities until the haze had lifted.
"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.
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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