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- Info
Wildfire mitigation in the 1998 Florida wildfires
| Author: |
Greenlee, Jason M.; McGarrahan, Fred; Namlick, Tony |
| Date: |
[nd] |
| Periodical: |
Federal Emergency Management Agency; after action report; FEMA-1223-DR-FL |
| Abstract: |
In April and May, 1998, Florida experienced an unusually severe drought as a result of El Nino. Starting in June, 1998, the state was besieged with a series of wildland fires of increasing intensity, culminating with several massive evacuations and with losses of homes and businesses in the week prior to the 4th of July weekend. In contrast with most Florida wildfires of the past, these fires burned in highly populated counties. Although many counties were hit (list of declared counties attached), Flagler and Volusia Counties on the Central East Coast of Florida received the most media attention. Florida was hit hard. In a two month period, 2214 fires burned nearly 500,000 acres, 327 homes were destroyed or damaged, 33 business were destroyed, 45,000 people were evacuated (some twice), and 204 people were injured (no one was killed). Partially because of a massive national mobilization of resources and partially due to a fortuitous change in weather, the losses sustained were much less severe than might be expected. The President and Vice President visited the burning areas several times. The state received a presidential declaration of a disaster, FEMA-1223-DR-FL, and a disaster field office was set up in Tallahassee in July, 1998. In the aftermath of the fires, two task forces were organized. A governor's task force looked at response issues and possible legislation change. A presidential task force examined economic and unmet needs. This report is of the field visits and resulting mitigation findings of the mitigation staff working from the FEMA disaster field office. The field team consisted of Mark Dickeson, Jason Greenlee, and Fred McGarrahan. Lee Stubbs (the team supervisor) and Tony Namlick supported the team. |
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