Originally Posted By TDLFAN FYI... with Tropical Storm Alberto nearby, I took a quick side trip to EPCOT at around 4pm shortly after the strong showers we had earlier iin the day let up. Today was the last day of EPCOT's Flower fest and I wanted to check out some of the leftover merchandise which is usually reduced in price by now. Anyways... coming in from I4 into WDW via EPCOT Center Drive.. As I approached the Epcot exit ramp, I noticed the fire trucks and Security vehicles, all with flashing lights, as a brush fire was being put out withing the patch of forrest that is encircled by the exit ramp that leads into EPCOT's auto plaza. While I was able to proceed into EPCOT, the lanes to leave EPCOT were closed and traffic deviated away via EPCOT Center Dr. I took my cellphone and took this shots as fire fighters were hosing down what was left of the flames. Check those pics here: <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32209119&f=" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32209119&f=</a> The smoke was white in color which I believe means the fire was not longer going, but as a precaution...firefighters were still pouring water, even after the torrential rains we had earlier today. Nevertheless... this incident did not affect operations at EPCOT and it was business as usual... I went in and was pleased that some of the merchadise was indeed marked down... Bought some garden ornaments that I saw a few weeks ago at almost an 80% discounted price!! Nifty. Due to the rains...there was a lot of tree debris in the walkways as we had some strong winds earlier today. This was apparent inside EPCOT and also alongside Epcot Center Drive. Anyways... I just got home, and it continues to be a mostly cloudy afternoon with showers.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub That could be very dangerous. I was there last month and noticed WDW does not seem to spend money on removing dead trees, etc. all around the resort property. That is a huge amount of land and fire could spread quickly.I hope WDW gets a lot of rain before I return in August.I really don't want a hurricane. Tornadoes in Kansas are enough for me.Thanks for the pics.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Yes. Lovely. >> I was there last month and noticed WDW does not seem to spend money on removing dead trees, etc.<< Yes, they have done a very bad job (if at all) of cleaning up the debris and dead trees from the hurricane damage from 2004. But some people think that is good for ecology, so whatever.. It does make the WDW property quite untidy and messy though...
Originally Posted By jkayjs I don't know if I think it is great for the ecology but I did read that there are regulations about the amount of dead trees/limbs that have to be left. If this is true it would prevent WDW from removing all of the mess. Also I imagine getting into some of those areas might cause more mess than just leaving it as it is. I do like it better when it well manicured but no one ever asks me. BTW Mickeymouseclub it's been an unusually good year in KS as far as tornados are concerned.
Originally Posted By NJFIREGUY <<The smoke was white in color which I believe means the fire was not longer going, but as a precaution...firefighters were still pouring water,>> Almost right it means theres more steam rising than smoke which means they were getting the upper hand. Good call though TDLFAN. the fire acadmey here has a class in sept...Sign you up??? another fine quality job by Reddy Creek FD.
