May 19, 2008 6:50 pm US/Eastern
Smoky Brushfires Prompt Broward Health Advisory
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The Broward County Health Department has issued a health advisory for all of Broward County due to smoke coming from a brushfire in the Everglades. There was a dense smoke and fog advisory in effect early Monday but it has been lifted.
At last check, forestry officials said the Mustang Corner fires in the southwest section of the Everglades, had scorched nearly 36-thousand acres and was only 30-percent contained.
Click here to see a pdf map of the affected area.
Firefighting efforts will be concentrated Monday on the northeast corner of the fire above the Chekika visitor area. All available aircraft will deliver water drops to try and stop the progress of the fire toward Tamiami Trail and Krome Avenue. There are currently seven helicopters and two single engine air tankers (SEATs) attacking the blaze from the air.
Tabitha Varela who lives closed to the Everglades said she is concerned about her health and her animals.
"I stay indoors, I try and keep everything closed and I try to stay indoors but even then the air conditioning brings in the air from the outside," explained Varela. "I'm just really worried about my five horses. My kids and I can just leave, but what do I do with my animals?"
Though the brush fire does not yet pose any threat to residential property, officials warn the heavy smoke could pose health hazards. Monday,
Infants, children, pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic heart or lung diseases, such as asthma, are considered at greatest risk from breathing in smoke from wildfires, especially when they are physically active.
Click here for more information about the Smoke Health Advisory.
Symptoms associated with smoke and/or particulate matter inhalation may include irritation of eyes, nose and throat; headaches; coughing; phlegm; chest pain; shortness of breath; wheezing; and aggravated asthma. People with heart or lung disease who experience any of these symptoms should contact their doctors.
"It gave me a big nausea and a headache," said Broward resident, Matthew Bonior. It's so bad that doctors at Broward General Medical Center said they are seeing a 5 to 10-percent increase in patients suffering from smoke inhalation compared to last week.
Dr. Nabeel el Sanadi says the majority of those patients already have a pre-existing respiratory condition.
"We've seen more people with respiratory ailments showing up and it's probably because of the combination of the heat and the smoke," explained Dr. Nabeel.
The smoke is such a big concern that the Broward 911 Emergency Operation Center said they have received dozens of call.
"911 is for emergencies. We don't want to tie up the 911 call takers unnecessarily, for people calling in with smoke in the area calls when we know it's from the brush fires. We are asking the public to uses some good judgment," said BSO spokesman Mike Jachles.
Emergency officials said they want you to call 911 if you see flames or if you house is on fire.
Officials continued to urge people to stay indoors to avoid the potential effects of the smoke, especially those with respiratory ailments.
Joanna Stiegler knows the drill. "You kind of want to stop and go indoors," she said. "You want to get water to clear the throat because the air feels thick in your lungs."
Dr. Ian Russinoff from Broward General Medical Center told CBS4 Ted Scouten that's normal – and unless you have lung problems already, it's probably not dangerous.
"For the most part it's just going to be eyes burning, and you're going to feel like the airs a little bit dirty and you're not going to feel all that clean and the air you breathe in is not going to be all that fresh," explained Russinoff. "But that should be all it is."
The southwesterly wind is forecast to continue throughout the week, so the smoky or hazy conditions could last for a few days.
The Krome Processing Center and the state run Everglades Correctional Institution followed a recommendation and evacuated their prisoners due to the advancing smoky brushfires.
The Mustang Corner fire also has officials concerned about two populations of the federally listed endangered species, Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.
The Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow was among the first group of species listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in March 1967. Firefighters are working to ensure that the habitat of the endangered seaside sparrow is protected according to National Park Service officials.
Since January 1st, 2008, 1,173 wildfires have burned across Florida. Most of these fires were caused by human carelessness. However, arson is also a concern. So far this year, 234 fires have been determined to be arson.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a toll free hotline for citizens to report suspected arson or suspicious activities. The number is 1-800-342-5869.
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