A large wildfire sparked by lightning last week continues to burn within the Ocala National Forest, covering nearly 1,000 acres as fire crews continue ground and aerial operations to establish containment lines.
According to the United States Forest Service of Florida, the Shell Fire, which was first discovered on Friday, May 22, has grown to 953 acres and was 10% contained as of Wednesday evening.
The fire is located in the north block of the Alexander Springs Wilderness in Lake County, approximately five miles east of the Alexander Springs recreation area.
The USFS reports that the wildfire was initially triggered by a severe weather system that brought extreme lightning to the southern end of the forest.
That same storm system sparked at least three other smaller wildfires in the area, which were quickly managed or monitored by local fire rescue crews.
Early attempts by helicopters to check the main head of the Shell Fire were unsuccessful due to erratic winds and highly volatile, thick wilderness fuels, prompting officials to transition to an indirect containment strategy.
Fire personnel have spent the last several days executing strategic tactical firing operations along the perimeter to bring the fire’s edge safely toward existing man-made control features, such as forest roads.
Crews have successfully secured sections along the north side near the junction of Forest Road 18 and the 18-1.8A track, according to the USFS.
Favorable weather and fuel conditions have allowed ground teams and aviation resources to conduct both hand-firing and aerial ignition operations to consume interior pockets of fuel, preventing the wildfire from making a hard push against the southern and western borders.
Heavy smoke from both the main wildfire and the deliberate containment burning remains highly visible across local communities and major roadways. Residents in Astor, Volusia, Deland, Alexander Springs, and Paisley may continue to notice smoke columns and reduced visibility. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling on nearby roads, including State Road 452 and State Road 445.
Forest officials are strictly requesting that the public avoid traveling on Forest Road 18 and stay away from the Bluff Landing Campground area, also known as 52 Landing or the old logging ramp. Keeping these areas clear ensures the safety of the public and grants necessary space for staging heavy equipment, tractor-plow bulldozers, and ground ignition teams.
Because Florida ecosystems dry out quickly even after receiving seasonal rainfall, forestry officials remind residents to remain extra vigilant and report any new, separate smoke or fire sightings to 911 immediately.
Last week, the USFS issued a stern reminder to visitors that driving off-trail is illegal in light of three separate wildfires that have been sparked by vehicles.