Firefighters from the United States Forest Service and Marion County Fire Rescue contained a 10-acre timber fire in the Ocala National Forest on Saturday that forced the temporary closure of a nearby shooting range.
The “Narrow 1 Fire” was first reported around Forest Road 11 (formerly FR-88), just north of State Road 40, at around 5:22 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.
According to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the incident involved a smaller fire immediately adjacent to the public shooting range and a main fire approximately 500 yards north of the facility in heavy timber.
By 7:00 p.m., air resources mapped the main fire at 10 acres and a USFS bulldozer, supported by a Type 1 Firehawk helicopter, successfully plowed a fireline around the entire perimeter.
Meanwhile, MCFR and USFS units fully suppressed the smaller fire at the shooting range. In another update at 9:00 p.m., officials confirmed the dozer lines were holding.
However, because the fire perimeter sits immediately downrange of the shooting facility, the range will remain “cold” and closed to the public all day Sunday, March 22.
Crews are expected to return to the scene on Sunday to improve the containment lines and “mop up” any lingering hot spots within the interior.
Travelers are urged to exercise caution on FR-11 as fire resources remain in the area. Forest officials also issued a stern reminder to the public regarding current conditions.
“Despite recent moisture, fire danger remains high as fuels have dried out again,” the USFS stated. “Please be careful with any potential source of ignitions.”
The cause of the fire has not yet been released.