Polk firefighters scramble to protect elephants

Last Edited: Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 10:53 PM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 3:47 PM EDT


POLK CITY - Firefighters in Polk County scrambled to keep a herd of elephants safe from flames this afternoon.

It was just after 2:30 when a wildfire flared up about a quarter-mile east of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation, off Old Grade Road. Fire crews positioned themselves at the elephant farm to protect the animals, while a separate crew fought flames in a nearby wooded area with backhoes and other earth-moving equipment.

Lightning from this afternoon's storms was suspected as the cause of the fire, and the windy conditions made the fight difficult.

The view from SkyFOX showed smoke billowing over the elephants' outdoor pens even after the flames were brought under control two hours later. That smoke could linger in the area for the next few days, officials said.

The Division of Forestry planned to remain on scene through the night to monitor the scene.