http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/04/02/0402brushfire.htmlATV sparks 15-acre brush fire in LoxahatcheeBy Kelly Wolfe
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 02, 2007
LOXAHATCHEE — Investigators said an ATV sparked a brush fire that burned roughly 15 acres at Marshall Drive and Cole Lane this afternoon. The blaze also destroyed a shed.
No one was injured and no homes were harmed by the blaze, which was under control by about 5:30 p.m.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue received the call about the fire at about 3:30 p.m. The caller said a ride on an ATV produced a spark that caused the fire.
Capt. Don DeLucia, spokesman for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, said any combustible engine will produce sparks. But ATVs are usually equipped with a spark arrester inside the muffler, DeLucia said.
If the ATV is old, or the spark arrester has been removed, sparks will fly from the muffler and could, especially during Florida's dry season, spark a brush fire.
"We're not encouraging ATVs right now," DeLucia said. "Today was a perfect example."
About 35 people - which included crews from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Division of Forestry - worked to put out the blaze, DeLucia said.