The United States Forest Service says that nearly an inch of rainfall in some parts of the Ocala National Forest has kept several wildfires within “their respective footprints,” despite smoke continuing to appear from the interiors of multiple sites.
According to the USFS, rainfall measured as high as 0.97 inches was recorded over the past weekend. The organization says there has been an average of approximately 0.50 inches of rainfall across the area.
Because of expected highs in the 90s this week, along with relatively high humidities, USFS is expecting drying to occur again.
“The possibility of afternoon thunderstorms with potential for lightning strikes throughout the forest area remains, as well as possible holdovers from strikes the from the system that passed through,” reads a statement from the USFS.
The forest continues to have elevated fire staffing with additional engines, helicopters, and firefighters on hand.
All of the fires reported over the past few weeks have remained in their respective footprints and the USFS says they continue to monitor them.
“Even with the rain, smokes have continued to appear in the interiors,” reads the USFS statement.
Due to the arid conditions, there is currently a voluntary burn ban in place in Marion County.
In recent weeks, firefighters worked to contain a 250-acre fire in the forest, while also battling two fires believed to have been caused by lightning. One of those wildfires led to an emergency evacuation issued for residents living in the area, near County Road 314.
In late March, a different wildfire consumed over 500 acres.
As of May 6, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System, over half of Marion County is categorized as being under “extreme drought” conditions. The rest of the county is mostly experiencing “severe drought” conditions.