Fire on the South Shore?

It's near Divi - and HUGE! ...just on the other side of the ridge.

This was yesterday's report in VIDN: http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/brush-fire-burns-up-to-20-acres-on-st-croix-1.1462531
Hope everyone stays safe. The firefighters have quite the tasks ahead of them until we get some rain so maybe call and give them some
applause or maybe some good treats to eat. They are working hard in STX.

PLEASE stop throwing cigarette butts out car windows. This fire is still burning and a threat to homes. Please spread the word about how fire can spread from one careless act. Why can't our Government Officials make some PSA's about this? If they do and I've missed them, thank you!!

Also, bottles.tossed out windows. The glass acts as a magnifier in the hot sun and are a common cause of brush fires.

I don't doubt that cigarette butts thrown out of car windows can cause a brush fire but if empty bottles on the side of the road were a plausible source then most of St. Croix would be on fire now. While I have heard that mentioned before as a possible cause of brush fires, there does not appear to be any scientific evidence of it on the internet. I did find this one article that does discuss the situation and while it does not totally discount the possibility, it does deem it highly unlikely. But without a doubt, St. Croix would be a better place without so much roadside littler...

http://www.griffith.edu.au/conference/bushfire2006/pdf/message-in-a-bottle.pdf

Most of these fires are probably caused by cigarette butts. A lot of smokers just don't freaking think when they toss the butts out the window!

These firefighters are working hard, with limited resources,which from what I've read, are now stretched very thin. I feel for these brave guys who are keeping so many safe. I hope they get a break soon.

PEOPLE: DON'T TOSS YOUR BUTTS OUT THE WINDOW!!!!!!!!!!! That's what ashtrays are for!

As a life long smoker (just quit last night) i can't stand when people toss their butts out the window. I guess part of it is being in the service you field strip the end stomp it out, and throw the butt in your pocket.
So glad I am done with smoking. At least I really hope I am! My wife quit a month ago, and that will save us $150-$200 a month towards saving for uour move! :@)8-):D

congrats vt. i know how expensive cigs are up there.

heard the fire trucks go out bout half time of the indy game, bit latter saw hugh balls of smoke coming from divi area. getting way to close. and with this wind. i baked cookies yest. (during the ohio state game) going to take some to the firemen today.

smelt smoke around 4 a.m. any new fires?

where is the rain?????

the fire is out, thank god the fire was only on the one half of the hill. all of these fires and not one house. thank goodness.
i don't think all of the fires are from cigarette butts. the one on the north shore behind my friends house, highly doubt that is from a cigarette butt.
i do agree 100%-do not throw your butts out the window.

Many of these fires are described as suspicious, meaning they might have been set on purpose.

From http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/brush-fire-burns-up-to-20-acres-on-st-croix-1.1462531 :

The cause of the fire had not been determined, although [St. Croix Fire Chief Angel] Torres said it is definitely "suspicious."

"If you've seen anything suspicious, do something, say something," he said.

stxbob, i had heard that today also.