These columns list arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found not guilty or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue reports responding to 673 calls between Jan. 12 and Feb. 8. The vast majority of these calls, 355, were for emergency medical situations.
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Although fires represent a small number of their calls, they can be some of the most dangerous situations for firefighters. The freeze and lack of rain has resulted in an increase in brush fires, and a burn ban is now in place for Okeechobee County.
Station 1 was dispatched to cover a structure fire on Northwest 15th Street on Jan. 16 at approximately noon. When they arrived, they found light smoke coming from the garage/carport. Engines 1 and 12 were able to extinguish the fire and ventilation was started to remove the remaining smoke. The fire was determined to be electrical in nature. The power was turned off, and the family was told to consult an electrician.
Station 4 was dispatched to a structure fire on Northwest 296th Street on Jan. 16 at approximately 4:25 p.m. An engine for brush responded to a brush fire in Viking Estates. They found a creeping grass fire involving about an acre. Brush 4 was able to extinguish the perimeter. When the Forest Service arrived, they plowed a line around the perimeter. The investigation revealed that the fire started from a pile of scrap wood, which caught the remains of a demolished trailer on fire.
On Jan. 19 at approximately 9:45 a.m., OCFR Engine 12 was dispatched to Northwest 36th Street regarding a structure fire. When they arrived, they found light smoke coming from the porch and front door. The family who lived in the house was standing on the front porch. They were asked to move to the front yard with Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Firefighters found the fire located on the kitchen stove and in the hood above the range. The fire was extinguished and the crew began smoke removal. The homeowners explained they were using cooking oil, and it ignited. They tried to put the fire out using salt but were unsuccessful. The family was told to contact an electrician regarding the electrical outlet in the upper cabinet. The loss was estimated at about $2,000.
An hour later, Station 2 was dispatched to a brush fire on State Road 78 West. The fire involved about an acre of open land of tree and brush. The Department of Forestry was contacted.
On Jan. 21 at approximately 10:30 a.m., Station 4 was dispatched to a fire at the FPL power plant on State Road 60. When they arrived, FPL employees led them to the fire. They found a slow-moving fire in some light vegetation and some heavy vegetation. It was burning under solar panels. Indian River Fire also responded but was cancelled, as they were not needed. The fire was extinguished and was estimated to cover about 12 acres.
Also on Jan. 21, an electrical fire on Northeast 48th Avenue was the fire Station 4 was dispatched to cover. When they arrived, they found a fire involving irrigation equipment. A pump house and related irrigation equipment were burning. The equipment was energized and arcing. The homeowner assisted with disconnecting the power from the breaker panel. The fire was extinguished. The homeowner told the firefighters she recently had work done on the system, and a relay and other components. The fire appeared to have originated in that area.
Station 1 was dispatched to cover a house fire on Southwest 24th Avenue on Jan. 24 at approximately 5:15. When they arrived, they found a camper on fire with smoke showing from the roof. After a complete overhaul, they determined the fire started in the electrical box of the camper. The camper was a complete loss.
On Jan. 25 at approximately 12:45 p.m., Station 4 responded to a brush fire on Northwest 144th Street. The Florida Forestry Service was already on the scene and beginning to contain the fire with a plow line. The property owners said a backhoe malfunctioned and caused the brush fire. The total acres burned was about 30.
Station 1 responded to a structure fire on Northeast 17th Avenue at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 28. When firefighters arrived, they found two older vacant homes behind a residence. One of the homes was about 75% involved, and the other was just beginning to catch fire. In addition, the vegetation around the structures was burning. The cause of the fire was determined to be from the meter can/weather head. A hanging power line sparked as firefighters fought to save the homes. FPL responded to the scene and shut down the live wire. They were able to restore power to the surrounding structures.
Also on Jan. 28, Station 2 was dispatched at approximately 5:30 p.m. to a structure fire on U.S. 441 Southeast. When they arrived, they found a stove burning on the porch of the residence, a single-wide trailer. The homeowner explained that boxes were placed on the stove and could have bumped the knobs, turning on the stove unintentionally.
A vehicle fire was the call on Jan. 20 at approximately 8:45 a.m. Station 1 was dispatched and found a 20-foot roll-off container on fire in a tow yard. After several minutes of applying water with no progress, the owner was asked to dump the material and spread it with a machine. Once this was accomplished, they were able to extinguish the fire.
Station 1 was dispatched to cover a structure fire on Northeast Fifth Street on Jan. 31 at approximately 8 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they found a chicken coop on fire. The coop was about 60 feet from a structure. The owners said they had a heat lamp in the coop to keep the chickens warm. The report does not mention the fate of the chickens.
Station 4 was dispatched to a brush fire on State Road 60 on Feb. 2 at approximately 12:30 p.m. When they arrived, they found a fire covering about 5 acres in the solar field. Florida Power and Light crews, assisted by OCFR were able to extinguish the fire and mop up hot spots.
On Feb. 3 at approximately 10:30 a.m., Station 1 was dispatched to Northwest 270th Street regarding a brush fire, which was determined to have been spread from a controlled burn.
At approximately 2 p.m. on Feb. 3, Station 4 was dispatched to U.S. 441 North regarding a brush fire caused by the open burning of debris.
Station 4 was dispatched to cover a brush fire on Northwest 160th Street on Feb. 6 at approximately 3 p.m. Multiple units responded to a large brush fire. The Department of Forestry responded as well, and a second brush truck from Station 1 was utilized, too. The resident of the property told firefighters they had a fire the night before, in a fire pit. The firefighters determined that hot ashes from that fire started the brush fire. The fire grew to approximately 240 acres before it was contained. The Department of Forestry also used a helicopter to drop water on the fire. A small travel trailer was 100% burned.
On Feb. 7 at approximately 2:30 p.m., Station 1 responded to a vehicle fire on U.S. 441 North. They found a horse trailer on fire at the Cattlemen’s Arena. The fire was extinguished before firefighters arrived. A generator on the driver’s side of the trailer had smoke and fire damage. The owner said he had previous issues with the generator.
Another brush fire took place on Feb. 7 at approximately 5 p.m. on U.S. 98 North. Station 1 took the call and found approximately 40 acres of grassy woodland burning. During the firefighting efforts, one of the Department of Forestry’s bulldozers had to be abandoned and was partially burned. The rangers said it was a 2025 Caterpillar D3. They added that they believed it was still operational.
