Recipe for a fire

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

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Open burning in Hillsborough County is not allowed without a permit.

Recent cold snaps have made conditions in Hillsborough County quite dry and susceptible to fire, and wind can make the situation even more dangerous.

That was apparent Tuesday as Hillsborough County Fire Rescue units battled a large brush fire off of Balm Riverview Road and Rodine Road No structures were reported damaged, but about 10 acres of land were burned.

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	Click here for more information about recent blazes in the Bay area.

The blaze was started by an illegal burn.

Fire officials aren't surprised by the recent rash of fires, being that fire season is underway.

"If it freezes, especially it makes it a lot worse," said Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Capt. Brad Shirley. "But hopefully before the cold front, we'll get some rain, and that will help."

One of the main causes of brush fires is cigarettes being tossed from car windows into dry grass. Another is controlled burns getting out of hand. A less-common cause is when hot fluids like oil or gas leak out of motorcycles or lawnmowers and hit a dry patch of grass.