There MAY be smoke in Lakeland on Friday, but there is no need to be alarmed. Prescribed burns are taking place February 13 and 14 north of Polk County. Weather systems MAY push smoke into our neck of the woods, so if it does, we want you to be aware; especially if you have respiratory issues or other health concerns.
The details from our friends at the Florida Forest Service:
The Florida Forest Service, Withlacoochee Forestry Center in conjunction with the Southwest Florida Water Management District is planning a large aerial prescribed burn for Thursday and Friday February 13th & 14th, 2020 on state lands. The prescribed fire could be between 4,000 acres to 8,000 acres per day over two days in the Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest and the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. The time of aerial ignition will be between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Two Florida Forest Service helicopters and staff from various agencies will be assigned to the prescribed burn.
The prescribed fire will be adjacent to SR 471 from the Polk/Sumter County Line to 2 miles south of SR 50. Smoke from the large aerial burn may be visible from US 301 which is approximately 7 miles west of the planned burn and SR 33 which is approximately 13 miles to the east of this area. Implementation/Execution of this burn will be weather dependent, and notifications will be posted in advance.
During the burn, SR 471 will be closed between SR 50 and US 98/SR 700, except for local traffic. Traffic will be detoured to US 301.
The Florida Forest Service and Southwest Florida Water Management will be using prescribed fire to reduce or eliminate hazardous fuels that could lead to a catastrophic wildfire. Reducing hazardous fuels with the use of prescribed burning increases public safety from the damaging impacts from wildfires and the safety of wild-land firefighters as they respond to suppress those wildfires.