At risk was the water supply. Today, most communities from Tampa to Orlando have outdoor watering restrictions caused by the drought. Planners fear that land speculators may contribute to the fire hazard. Throughout the Green Swamp and all around the state, developers have bought thousands of acres of agricultural land, just waiting for the next boom. Farmers typically would have burned the land to encourage new growth, but some developers may do nothing with the land for years.
Developers buy it for future urban growth.
Often, it's the land in between subdivisions. This fire just closed an interstate. If it had been somewhere else, you might not be enjoying Lakeland right now. People have to understand what kind of environment they're living in. Carrier, the Polk City town manager, said the fire came within a mile of her office a week ago.