In its final report on the matter, the United States Forestry Service says that the 565-acre Fernadez Fire in the Ocala National Forest is now approximately 75% contained.
On Tuesday, forest officials reported that the fire, which is burning in the Alexander Springs Wilderness area just north of County Road 42 in Lake County, is currently 75% contained.
The St. Francis Trail, which had been closed due to the fire, is now open again.
Firefighting crews will continue to monitor the lines and mop up as needed, and smoke is still a possibility as fuels continue to consume and smolder in the interior of the fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Motorists and visitors are advised to refrain from entering areas where crews are working to maintain safety, and to avoid Forest Road 42.28.
Named after a Spanish land grant settlement and port on the St. Johns River, the Fernadez Fire was first reported on March 21. On that day, the fire was measured at around 210 acres. Less than a week after it was first measured, the U.S. Forest Service reported that the fire had doubled in size to over 400 acres.
Over the weekend, officials shared a brief video showing a bulldozer clearing a path near the wildfire.
As of Tuesday morning, the United States Drought Monitor still classifies the area within the Ocala National Forest where the fire is as being under “severe drought” conditions.
A map from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shows that there are still around three dozen wildfires being managed across the state, with at least eight listed as “active.”
Do you have video or photos of the Fernadez Fire within the Ocala National Forest? Share them with us.