Wildfire Danger

Wildfire Danger

This time last year, mandatory evacuations were ordered for residents in Taylor, Florida and surrounding neighborhoods after a massive fire in neighboring Charlton County, Georgia roared across state lines and into Baker and Columbia counties.

Fires jumped state lines last year causing mandatory evacuations in North Florida.

The Bugaboo Fire raged from April to June in 2007 and ultimately become the largest fire in the history of both Georgia and Florida.

The ongoing severe drought led to tinderbox conditions all over North Florida and rapidly spreading wildfires were threatening communities from Ocala to Starke, Palatka and Keystone Heights. Several counties declared emergencies and the national guard was called out to assist.

It’s wildfire season again and the windy, dry conditions across much of the state have officials worried about a repeat of last year’s fires. They say that conditions are better and not a dry as last year, but the potential for fire is still high. The peak fire season runs from December to June, with May and June as most dangerous for fires.

Since the fires began Sunday about 20 homes have been destroyed and 140 other structures damaged. The damage was estimated at approximately $3.5 million.

Part of Interstate 95 was closed because of the heavy smoke. Fire officials are worried high winds, dry conditions and record-high temperatures will fuel the blazes even more.

Governor Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency Monday afternoon as wildfires continues to burn saying "due to the ongoing danger of wildfires and drought conditions that continues to threaten the state of Florida."

Firefighters from the City of Macclenny and the Baker County Fire Department have been deployed to help with the Brevard County fire.

Authorities have arrested a "person of interest" in the Brevard County wildfires. They are questioning Brian Crowder, 31, about the fire that began Sunday. He has not been called a suspect or charged with arson or any crime relating to the fires at this time, however, Crowder does have previous convictions on drug, burglary and auto theft charges.

Law enforcement officials were alerted after a resident saw Crowder allegedly throw an object from his car that sparked a small fire. According to Palm Bay Police Chief Bill Berger, the object was a glass bottle containing an accelerant.

Florida firefighters are also working on fires in Franklin and Liberty counties. Both fires are in the Apalachicola National Forest.