Dry, windy conditions are proving a challenge for local fire crews.
The alarm went up shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday morning (April 28) a brush fire in the area of County Road 664 and Alderman Road near Bowling Green.
Hardee County Fire Rescue responded to the blaze which was largely contained to pasture and scrub land.
The greatest threat Sunday came from continuing high winds inundating the area that could easily spread the blaze and embers to the widespread tinderbox that is Hardee County caused by weeks of extreme lack of rain.
The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office closed County Road 663 North from County Road 664 to the Polk County line in response to visibility concerns from smokey conditions from the blaze.
County Road 664 from Center Hill Road westward was also closed.
According to the HCSO, the roadways were reopened at 5:21 p.m.
Local fire crews were aided by mutual aid from Manatee County.
Fire crews cleared the scene shortly before 4 p.m.