Remembering Florida Wildfires of Springs 2007-2008

Remembering The Wildfires of 2007-2008

There are no scenes today like the one in this picture taken back in the spring of 2007. This Buckhead Ridge wildfire was 1 of dozens and dozens that year to develop, as the severe drought conditions took over all of Florida. Fires became widespread for months as dry ground conditions and gusty winds made for prime wildfire weather. I remember shooting fire weather video and pictures almost daily for weeks, with little rain and storm shots that I normally would be shooting for The Weather Channel. I never shot so many consecutive wildfire scenes from South Florida to Orlando over a two month period. There were times when Florida was socked in with significant smoke plumes that made visibilities to be reduced to zero, and make it difficult to breathe when outside. There was no storm chasing in Florida that spring, it was all firestorm chasing from Lake Okeechobee to Melbourne to Tampa.

Back To Chasing Storms, not Smoke Plumes

Today things are much better as we near the Fall dry season of 2008. The wet season of 2008 was very active, and all those prime fire weather conditions were a thing of the past by mid summer. A persistent sea breeze thunderstorm season, and a few weak tropical storm systems, brought steady rains for months putting a end to the severe drought ground conditions. I actually spent time this past summer chasing lightning storms once again and not smoke plumes. It felt like Florid once again with the active rainy season, and kept me busy unlike the two previous years.

The Affects of The Florida Wildfires On You?

How bad did the Florida wildfires, smoke, and drought weather affect you in the springs of 2007-2008?