Emergency personnel have been working for multiple days to contain a 210-acre wildfire in the Ocala National Forest.
According to the United States National Forest Service, forest firefighters have been working to contain a forest fire within the Alexander Springs Wilderness area of the Ocala National Forest since Friday, March 21.
In a statement issued on Friday, officials said the wildfire was confirmed around 1 p.m. that day and measured 210 acres at the time. They indicated at the time that the fire was possibly sparked by dry lightning.
At the time of the initial report, the fire was within the wilderness area boundaries.
On Saturday, officials reported that progress had been made on containing the “Fernadez Fire” in the forest. Named after a Spanish land grant settlement and port on the St. Johns River, the Fernadez Fire measured approximately 250 acres as of Saturday afternoon and was reported as 50% contained.
On Sunday, the U.S. Forest Service reported that the St. Francis hiking trail within the forest was being temporarily closed “due to its proximity to the ‘Fernadez’ fire in the Seminole District.”
“This temporary closure is a necessary public safety measure. Portions of the St. Francis Trail wind near the wildfire and may be dangerous for non-firefighting personnel,” reads a statement from the forest service.
In that same statement, officials reported that the fire measured 210 acres and was 40 acres less than the initial size estimate “due to more accurate measurements.”
In video obtained by Orlando-based WESH 2 News, the fire can be seen destroying a large portion of the forest. Watch WESH 2’s video here:
According to the forest service, the fire’s footprint includes at least 30 acres of the Alexander Springs Wilderness area.
As of Sunday, no residences or structures were in danger and no injuries or damage to private property were reported.
The fire has been producing smoke that has impacted County Road 42. The Florida Department of Transportation is advising motorists of smoke warnings along CR 42 and Forest Road 28.
Morning fog and various wind conditions may dramatically impact smoke density near roads. All motorists are advised to drive through those areas with caution.
The forest service has also indicated that it will not issue any “outdoor burn authorizations” for large piles in the local areas.