Life and Island Times – June 1 2016

The Island is Burning

It was only half way into the month of May, when the island caught fire this year.

Fire was no stranger in Key West; yet, modern Conchs had lost their sense of vigilance for fire once the US Navy laid the water pipe down from the Everglades in the early 40s. With the advent of plentiful fresh water, a new fire threat crept into their lives.

In 1886, a fire destroyed the entire downtown in the early morning hours of April 1. This was not April Fools. The fire started at 2 AM in the San Carlos Hall on Duval Street between Fleming and Southard streets. High winds fanned the flames while inadequate firefighting systems fought in vain. Residents blew up their own buildings to create firebreaks, but three people died in the process. Twelve hours later over 50 buildings, including six wharves were destroyed.

Most islanders now were oblivious despite the early onset of flames, since these fires were an annual two-month long event of little note. With the slow season upon the island, there were few tourists who walked about gobsmacked by the conflagration.

The fire spread along quickly this year
The island was burning
Flames rose and lapped entire neighborhoods
Orange covered the scars where all this began last year and the year before
Tangerine tinted waves ran calm on the island’s beaches
No smoke rose
Unseasonable rain made the streets stream red
Red-orange ash coated cars every morning

No one saw the bright orange tree flames glowing all over town even with the blazes being strongest in the early morning and late dusk.

No coverage of this spectacle was in the papers or in island social media.

Don’t take Marlow’s word. Just sample his pix.

Courtesy Rob O’Neal

In the Keys these burning trees are known as Royal Poinciana, Delonix regia in Latin.

The flowers themselves look like orchids to Marlow, when seen close up:

The petals become so much debris, littering driveways, sidewalks and parked cars. It like the island is being beset by an everlasting red summer thunder snow.

Copyright © 2016 From My Isle Seat