Today is the 6th of March, 2026, and Frostproof, Florida, is making headlines for some fiery incidents that have recently unfolded. It seems that the dry conditions and strict fire regulations have led to some rather heated situations for locals. Let’s dive into the details of these events.
On a Sunday evening, a 37-year-old man named Fidel O’Campo, Jr. found himself in hot water after a deputy from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fire on F Street East. The incident began around 6:30 PM when the deputy noticed flames on the property. O’Campo was discovered in the backyard where he reacted aggressively, demanding the deputy leave while hurling a barrage of expletives. Despite the deputy’s attempts to de-escalate the situation, O’Campo continued his verbal onslaught.
Fire and Consequences
Ultimately, the deputy took O’Campo into custody and called the Frostproof Fire Department, which quickly extinguished the fire. When asked for his name, O’Campo responded with another curse word, challenging the officer to figure it out himself. After confirming his identity, O’Campo was arrested and charged with violating a county ordinance for a burn ban, starting a fire during a state of emergency due to extreme drought, and resisting an officer without violence. For more details, you can check out the full story here.
But O’Campo isn’t the only one facing the consequences of reckless fire behavior in Polk County. Just recently, a teacher named Brian Webster was arrested for a similar offense. Webster ignited an uncontrolled bonfire in his backyard during a statewide burn ban, which was put in place due to severe drought conditions declared by Governor Ron DeSantis. The fire spread rapidly, consuming about five acres despite Webster’s claims that he took precautions while burning cardboard in an old refrigerator.
Community Impact and Safety Measures
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the serious dangers posed by such fires and reiterated the necessity of the burn ban. On the same day as O’Campo’s incident, over thirty brush fires were reported across the county, highlighting the urgent need for caution during these dry conditions. Webster was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and faces multiple charges, including reckless land burning and violating the county’s burn ban. You can read more about this situation here.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to fire regulations, especially in times of drought. As the community grapples with the implications of these events, it’s crucial for residents to stay informed and prioritize safety to prevent further incidents.