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Hernando Today

Jobs, Wildfire Mitigation Target Of Stimulus Dollars

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: March 22, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - A small infusion of federal cash is on its way to cut back the risk of wildfires in the county and provide some jobs.

The Florida Division of Forestry announced Wednesday it was preparing to distribute $900,000 in stimulus money to its various regional offices across the state.

The Withlacoochee Forestry Center, which serves Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Pasco and Sumter counties, is in line for its handout, too.

On Friday, Don Ruths, spokesman, said the money is welcome because severe drought conditions have spread resources thin.

Controlled burns are the typical measure used to clear flammable underbrush. But with a drought index creeping up to its peak, it's too risky to set even manageable fires.

"There are only 124 (points) to go before it's the Sahara Desert," Ruths said.

That leaves clearing land up to a fleet of mowers, which can be a labor- and time-intensive operation.

Dry underbrush was the principle reason behind a 12-acre fire Thursday in Ridge Manor that threatened four homes. The fire began in the remains of what was once a large pond in the area of Castleberry Drive.

One house was singed, but not badly damaged, by the fire, Ruths said.

Firefighters from the county, Brooksville and Sumter County pooled their resources for three hours to fight the blaze.

Mowing grass will cut back on those types of fires, Ruths said, so the idea is to bid out stimulus dollars to hire private contractors for the mowing job.

"We want to keep people in work," he said.

Ruths identified some of the most vulnerable areas in Hernando County as Bayport, Hernando Beach, the east side of the county and portions of the Chassahowitzka and Weekiwachee preserves.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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