5 p.m. UPDATE: Gov. Rick Scott has directed the Florida National Guard to provide a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to be placed on standby for potential firefighting missions in Tampa.

The aircraft would be flown in support of the Florida Forest Service and will be equipped with the ability to both collect and dispense large quantities of water onto fires without having to land.

"As directed by my executive order, our state agencies have been working closely with the Florida Forest Service and our federal partners to determine what resources are needed to fight the increased number of fires across the state," Scott said.

"(Wednesday) I am directing the Florida National Guard to immediately provide resources to help put out forest fires. It is crucial that our firefighters and first responders are able to immediately respond to dangerous wildfires and this helicopter will be an incredibly valuable resource in our fight to protect our communities.

Positioning a Blackhawk helicopter on standby in Tampa will allow National Guard units to activate within minutes and join firefighters and first responders in combatting any ongoing or potential wildfires.

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As brush fires continue to burn across Florida, and in the Bay area, local counties are adopting burn bans.  

  • Bay area burn bans: Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties
  • Pasco officials closed the Starkey Wildness Park in New Port Richey

Pasco officials voted to issue a burn ban Wednesday afternoon, joining Citrus, Hernando, and Polk Counties. 

The ban means no open burning, campfires, trash burning and no fireworks. 

"Be aware that simple actions such as tossing a cigarette into the grass or idling a vehicle over grass can ignite a brush fire on the side of the road," said Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief. "The County is so dry that these brush fires can spread quickly, threatening homes and businesses. Residents who refuse to comply with or violate the burn ban face fines up to $500 or imprisonment of up to 60 days."

Several fires have sparked in Pasco in the past three days. A fourth fire started late Wednesday afternoon in Hudson and has consumed six acres so far. One building has been damaged, but no homes are being threated at this time, officials said. 

Pasco Fire Rescue is on scene with four dozer plow units and one helicopter. 

A third fire also sparked in Pasco County early Wednesday afternoon, prompting the closure of Starkey Wilderness Park, located at 10500 Wilderness Park Road in New Port Richey. Officials said the park will be closed until further notice - this includes all bike trails, campers, and day users. 

The Suncoast Bike Trail from State Road 52 to State Road 54 and the trails going into Starkey Park are closed as well.

The evacuation started after 12 p.m. and several people inside the park had to be escorted out. 

Alexis Lapp was on a family hike with her 14-month-old when they noticed smoke begin to surround them. 

"We kind of saw the smoke start rising and we kind of stopped and could see the helicopter circling so we said, 'okay we need to get out of here,'" said Lapp. "We turned around and could tell that the smoke was getting closer and closer." 

The family said they tried to take a different path away from the smoke but it got worse. 

"We saw a park ranger and he spotted us, thank goodness he did, he came shooting down and he jumps out of the car really panicked and he says we have to go right now," said Lapp. “We grabbed the baby, put the stroller in the back, we jumped into the back of the truck and he went speeding through the woods.”

Skip Uebelhart, who was on a 26 mile run, was also picked up by a fire truck.

“I started seeing a little smoke and all kinds of emergency vehicles started coming in,” said Uebelhart. “For a while they let me run, but a half hour ago they said nope we’re getting everyone out, so I had to get in the fire truck with them and be escorted out.” 

Luckily, the scary situation ended well for those who were in the park today. 

“He got us out of there and thank God he did because we would have been lost, we were in the wrong direction, it was very scary,” said Lapp. “We are very lucky that we got out and that he found us.” 

As for the other fires burning in Pasco County, crews are still working to contain the Silver Palms Fire near the Suncoast Lakes subdivision off State Road 52. 

Officials said flames are about 100 yards away from the subdivision, but crews don't expect flames to get any closer. Still, the surrounding air is filled with smoke and the brush continues to smolder.  

The Silver Palms Fire is about 25 percent contained and has burned 35 acres so far. The neighboring campground fire, which burned about 75 acres, is now fully contained, Florida Forest Service officials said.

While there are no voluntary evacuation orders right now, officials are telling people with respiratory issues to keep a close eye on conditions. They should leave if they're having trouble breathing.