Page 4 March 29, 2017
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
ildfire report: Dry conditions
March 30 has been officially designated Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day by
expected to continue
the U.S. Senate. It marks the 38th anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. combat and combat-
support units from Vietnam.
TALLAHASSEE - In a press release on March 22, Adam Putnam (Florida Commissioner
On March 30, make a special effort to say, "Welcome home." Honor a Vietnam
of Agriculture) and the Florida Forest Service urged the public to use extreme caution when
veteran you know with a short note in Comments below, whether to say, "Welcome Home"
handling outdoor fires and heat sources, as dry conditions are forecast to continue during
or "You live in our hearts."
the next few months.
On March 30, 1973, all U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam. There were no ticker-
Commissioner Putnam announced a 250% increase in aceerage burned during
tape parades honoring the veterans, no triumphant marches or speeches as there had been at
wildfires during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same timeframe during 2016. Spe-
the end of each of the World Wars. America's Vietnam veterans returned home to silence, or
cifically, more than 1,000 wildfires have burned more than 46,000 acres - an increase from
worse, in some cases to denigration for having served their country during a controversial
approximately 700 wildfires that burned 12,900 acres during the first three months of 2016.
war.
During the week preceeding March 22, the Florida Forest Service responded to 133
new wildfires that impacted several Florida communities and burned nearly 10,500 acres.
To see the locations of all current, active wildfires in Florida, download the "FLBurnTools"
application in Apple's App Store or on Google Play.
The Florida Forest Service urges residents to: *Develop and implement a family
wildfire action plan. *Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately
in the event of a wildfire. *Obey Florida s outdoor burning laws. *Never burn on windy
days. *Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris.
*Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended. *Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.
Burning yard waste can be risky
Brush fires in the county, and throughout Florida, have been plentiful during the
first quarter due to the La Nina effect of above average temperatures and below average
rainfall.
5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446
Phone: (352) 489-4588 Florida Forest Service (on March 26), the forecast fire danger
According to the
Fax: (727) 362-4788
indices for Citrus County was low and for Levy County was moderate.
Tom Russell, Publishe,with your thenewscaster1@gmail.comI city/town), to learn if there
email: officials in your area (local, county or
Check
Debbie Russell, Editor, email:burning restrictions in your area before burning ANYUNIT OIL CHANGE
are debbienewscaster@gmail.comLOWER yard waste.
thenewscaster.com · newscasterarchives.comwaste (it is illegal to burn household
Setback requirements for the burning of yard
history.newscasterarchives.com ·Forest Service, are: 25 ft. from forests, 50 ft. from paved
waste), according to the Florida thehealthcaster.com
W
public roads, 25 ft. from your house and 150 ft. from other occupied buildings.
Yard waste can be burned in an 8 ft. diameter pile or in a non-combustible container
covered with wire mesh (to keep sparks from spreading your fire). Clear the area around
your burn pile down to bare ground (no grasses, etc.). Do not burn on windy days. Never
On March 20, Citrus Sheriff Fire Rescue and the Inverness Fire Dept. responded to a structure leave a fire unattended. Keep a water hose and/or shovel handy in case your fire escapes
fire on Duck Cove Pt. In Inverness. Although the house was severely damaged, no one was your burn area. Your smoke should not obstruct visibility on nearby roads. Your fire must be
injured. A fire in Crystal River on March 20, was worked by the Florida forest Service and Citrus completely extinguished before you leave it.
County Fire Rescue. That day, numerous brush fires erupted in Crystal River and Homosassa.
Impor tant Phone Numbers for Citrus County
On March 26, according to the Florida Forest Service, there were three current brush fires in
Job Opportunities - 352-527-5370; Public Records Requests - 352-527-5235
the Citrus County area: one on W. Crystal St. in Crystal River, one near W. Dorchester Circle in
Planner of the Day - 352-527-5239; Road Maintenance - 352-527-5477
the Citrus Springs area of Dunnellon and one in Hernando, north of E. Forest Trail Dr. (Photo
Flood Management - 352-527-5264; Utility Customer Service - 352-527-7650
Building Permit Status - 352-527-5310.
provided by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.)
··
Our website: http://aquapowermarinefl.com
Important Toll Free
Carl Roof, Inc.
League of Women
Numbers
Voters of Citrus County
Land Clearing - Fill - Septic Installation
l Roof, Owner
Citrus Cty Govt.
Car
You can make a difference
19371 SE Butler
Rd.
Citrus Springs & Dunnellon
Join Today
InglsFL
i , 34449
352-489-2120
For infor please visit our website:
Since 1973
Levy Co. Govt. 800-733-5389
352-447-2733
www.lwvcitrus.org
352-257-8250cell
Levy Cty Sheriff 800-538-9767
email: lwvcc2013@gmail.com