Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

I came home early today, planning to work at home the rest of the day and get caught up on office paperwork. Instead, I’m anxiously watching the fire that’s smoldering very near my house.

There’s a wildfire burning in Riverview near the Super Target at the corner of Bloomingdale and Gornto Lake Road. The fire is in the woods between the Bloomingdale Shopping Center (at the corner) and the rows of houses under construction. Bay News Nine just reported that the fire covers two acres and is producing more smoke than actual flames. My apartment complex is on the other side of the almost-completed Super Target, so I can vouch for the accuracy of the reported smoke.

Remember the smoky haze from a couple of weeks ago? At my house right now, it’s about ten times worse than that, with the addition of weird tiny bits of debris and ash falling from the sky. Police have closed off the Gornto Lake Road entrance on Bloomingdale, spectators are watching from a distance and comparing stories, two helicopters were in the air a little while ago, and there are too many fire and rescue vehicles on hand to count. It’s nice to have a good excuse not to work, but geez. Keep your fingers crossed for me, folks.

Click the photos for bigger shots.