Multiple brush fires are burning in areas in Polk and Highlands counties on Wednesday evening.
The fires are bringing heavy smoke to both counties and even prompted evacuations in the Lake Placid area of Highlands County. However, the evacuations have been lifted.
In a 6:15 p.m. update, Highlands County Fire Rescue lifted the evacuation order.
“Residents who live in the area need to be aware that smoke will linger for several hours and overnight. Everything is well within the black,” fire rescue said.
Highlands County
Around 5:30 p.m., the Highlands County Fire Rescue responded to a 6.8-acre brush fire on Sunflower Avenue in the Sun ‘n Lake South neighborhood of Lake Placid.
The sheriff’s office said 24 homes in the area were evacuated. The homes are located near Blue Moon Avenue, Moon River Avenue, and Jack Weisser Boulevard, according to the fire rescue .
The fire rescue said crews were putting wet lines around properties and no residences were in danger.
Polk County
The first fire broke out near a field of solar panels by Cesara Estates Loop in Mulberry around 4:15 p.m.
Then a vegetation fire broke out in Frostproof, near Highway 27 and Lily Creek Way around 4:53 p.m.
A third fire was reported around 5:28 p.m. at Scenic Highway South and Hopson Road.
Hardee County
Officials in Hardee County reported a 200-acre brush fire in the area of CR-664 and DeVane Road. No homes were damaged.