Martin County saw two brush fires this week, including one sparked by a lightning strike. Both are now fully contained and being monitored by the Florida Forest Service. David Grubitch, a mitigation specialist and spokesperson with the department, said this is their peak season. He explained that summertime heat dries out fine dead fuels, making them receptive and ready to ignite when lightning strikes.
Grubitch said rain often extinguishes these fires immediately, but sometimes they travel underground and surface days later. He stressed that the public plays a crucial role in helping the Florida Forest Service do its job. Grubitch said residents should never assume someone else has already called in a brush fire, emphasizing that if you see something, say something. He said this can make all the difference in how quickly crews are able to get a fire under control.