Brush Fire Rages on Florida’s West Coast

Hundreds of firefighters battled Wednesday to contain a brush fire that had spread over nearly 4,000 acres near Sarasota.

The fire came as drought conditions across Florida prompted the state’s agriculture commissioner to ban most outdoor fires in an effort to avert wildfires that are increasingly threatening the state.

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Bob Crawford issued an emergency declaration banning most outdoor burning until drought conditions subside in the nation’s fourth most populous state.

Smoke from the blaze near Sarasota forced sections of Interstate 75 to be shut down for about three hours Wednesday between Sarasota and Venice.

The fire has not caused any injuries or destroyed any homes since it was started Sunday by a lightning strike, but nearby residents have been told to be ready to evacuate if necessary. A few residents have left as a precaution.

The Sarasota County Commission approved an emergency resolution giving officials the authority to order evacuations and to seek federal help. In Washington, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it is providing federal funds to help firefighting efforts.

Airplanes and helicopters were brought in to drop water and chemicals on the fire, but efforts to put out the blaze were hampered by dry, hot winds.

So far this year, 2,800 wildfires have claimed nearly 82,000 acres in Florida as rising temperatures and continued lack of rain are making portions of the state tinder dry. There has been little rain in many areas of the state since January.