Backyard Trash Burn Ignites Brush Fire

ALTURAS, FL — A Polk County resident found out the hard way on Monday just how dry conditions across the region are. Authorities say the man’s attempt to burn a little trash in his Alturas backyard ended up sparking a brush fire that rendered his home unlivable.

According to Polk County Fire Rescue, crews were called out to a home in the 1100 block of Marty Lane just before 3 p.m. April 17. When they arrived, they found the manufactured home and two sheds on fire.

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“The homeowner told firefighters he forgot about the county’s burn ban and was burning garbage,” an email from fie rescue said. “The grass around where he was burning caught fire and continued to the structures.”

Authorities were able to bring the blaze under control, but the home is “no longer livable,” the agency said.

Polk County recently issued a burn ban. Violation of it may result in a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in jail or both. Monday’s fire is under investigation by the Florida Forest Service.

See also: Florida Wildfires: Where They’re Burning

As dry conditions continue and wildfire reports come in from across the state, Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency. As of Tuesday, the Florida Forest Service reported there were a total of 105 active wildfires across the state, spanning some 22,489 acres. Twenty-nine of those fires cover 100 acres or more.

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Photo courtesy of Polk County Fire Rescue