PHOTOS: A brush fire crept along the South U.S. Highway 1 in Port St. Lucie on Monday, prompting a heavy first responder presence.
At about 2:15 p.m., several crews arrived at the scene of the fire as it sent pools of smoke billowing multiple stories high.
While the fire consumed a patch of pines and vegetation along the highway, it didn't damage any structures, according to the St. Lucie County Fire District.
Once the blaze was brought under control, crews remained on scene to watch for hotspots, the fire district continued.
The Florida Forest Service and the Environmental Resources Department also responded to the brush fire.
WPEC-TV CBS 12 West Palm Beach
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The Palm Coast Fire Department has answered almost 8,000 calls for service since Oct. 1, 2023, Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill said.
In an overview presentation to the Palm Coast City Council on March 26, Berryhill said that PCFD received and responded to 7,983 service calls since fiscal year 2024, which began on Oct. 1. In the calendar year of 2023, the department responded to over 15,000 calls for service and in fiscal year 2023 — spanning Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 31, 2023 — it responded to 14,300 calls.
The fire department has a response-time goal of reaching a call in less than 7 minutes, at least 85% of the time. In the calls received between Oct. 1, 2023 and March 2024, Berryhill said the fire department has made it to the scene in less than 7 minutes 82.3% of the time.
Observer Local News - Metered Site
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PHOTO: Venice Fire Rescue has sworn in its newest member of the team: a dog named Misty.
The 2-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever comes to the agency thanks to a donation from the organization K9s for Warriors.
As the station dog, Misty's job is to lift spirits when first responders answer some of their toughest calls.
"Her only goal is to be at the fire station and when the guys come back from a really bad call," said Assistant Fire Chief Kyle Hartley. "She is there to just give them hugs, kisses and be loving and to take their minds away from what they might have just seen."
The community has donated veterinarian services for Misty. Venice Fire Rescue is accepting donations of dog food and toys.
WTVT-TV FOX 13 Tampa
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