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Type: Journal Article
Author(s): P. Minshew; J. Towle
Publication Date: 1999

The wildfires that occurred in central Florida in 1998 are discussed. These fires were largely the result of lightning, although some were set by arsonists. Throughout June and early July, these wildfires torched vast areas of Florida, causing as much economic and environmental damage as a category 4 or 5 hurricane. The intensity of the fires produced thick smoke that made breathing difficult for those with pre-existing lung and heart conditions, including children with asthma. This meant that the disaster suddenly became a public health threat that required the expertise of medical and environmental staff, as well as firefighters, public works personnel, and the police.

Citation: Minshew, P., and J. Towle. 1999. The 1998 wildfires in central Florida: Volusia County's own Armageddon. Journal of Environmental Health, v. 61, no. 7, p. 22-26.

Cataloging Information

Regions:
Keywords:
  • air quality
  • central Florida
  • disasters -- Florida
  • environmental health
  • fire case histories
  • fire damage (property)
  • fire frequency
  • fire intensity
  • fire management
  • fire size
  • fire suppression
  • Florida
  • forest management
  • health factors
  • insects
  • lightning caused fires
  • mopping up
  • pollution
  • precipitation
  • rate of spread
  • smoke effects
  • smoke management
  • wildfires
  • wildfires
  • wind
Tall Timbers Record Number: 27047Location Status: In-fileCall Number: Fire FileAbstract Status: Okay, Fair use, Reproduced by permission
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 50444

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by Tall Timbers and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of Tall Timbers.