Plow Line Clean-up

We are in need of volunteers to help us fill in the plow lines cut in to contain our recent brush fire. The level of activity is moderate. We will be using hand tools (shovels, rakes, etc) to fill and level the soil surface where the plow lines were cut. If you are interested in participating in reoccurring volunteer service as a Back Woods Forest Steward, please email me at crhodes@mosi.org.

MOSI Wildfire Video

Tampa Fire Rescue copy: On 3/14/09 about 1340 hrs TFR units responded to a brush fire in the wooded area behind the Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E Fowler Avenue. On scene fire crews reported smoke coming from the woods about 100 feet into the tree line, they estimated about 2 acres to be burning. It took about 90 minutes to bring the fire under control, no injuries were reported.

An Investigator from the Tampa Fire Marshals Office is on scene looking into the fire cause.

Fire crews worked quickly to make sure the flames did not interrupt the Renaissance Festival occurring at the edge of the woods. Some smoke went into the festival area, there was no interruption to the festival or MOSI.

After fire crews used brush trucks to access the burning area and knock down the fire a tractor from the Division of Forestry arrived on scene to cut a fire break around the burnt area. Nearly 3 acres burnt.

About 8 firefighting units from Tampa, Temple Terrace, the Division of Forestry and Hillsborough County were on scene.

Wildfire in the Back Woods

Got a call this afternoon around 2pm from my boss telling me there was a wildfire in the Back Woods. Local fire departments were already on scene and working to cut fence and get hose and people into the fire by the time I received the call. Dashing out to the woods as fast as the gator would carry me; I was able to capture a few photos of some active fire at the end of the event and before the local FD asked me to leave. The big palmetto is on the north side of the big sink hole.The composite shot is from the center of the big sink hole. The Division of Forestry was on hand at the end of the day to help with the mop up and put a plow line in around the fire to prevent it from spreading from the containment area from any flame-ups tonight or tomorrow. Needless to say we have some fairly significant damage from the plow lines. Volunteers will be needed to do some plow line restoration. Interested? Email me!