See smoke? It could be from a controlled fire going on today across parts of Central Florida.
St. Johns River Water Management District notified Channel 9′s certified meteorologist George Waldenberger that they will be conducting a 57’acre prescribed burn Wednesday at the at the Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area, near the trailhead on Lake Pickett Road, in Orange County.
“The purpose of the burn is to maintain fire-dependent ecosystems and reduce wildland fuel loads.” Explain the St. Johns Water Management District. “Prescribed fire is the use of carefully planned fire purposefully set under stringent conditions to manage the fire's effects. Before conducting a burn, the district ensures that wind and other weather conditions are correct for managing the fire and minimizing the impacts of smoke to residents and traffic.”
A larger controlled burn at the Heart Island Conservation Area in Volusia County will also be happening. The fire will encompass 115-acres north of State Road 40 and west of State Road 11 on Chesser Hammock Road.
The winds will be mainly from the south so the smoke will likely be affecting zones to the north of the fires. Chuluota could be one of the areas that might seem smokes from the Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area controlled fire. Fire season going year-round in Central Florida, but the heart of wildfire season picks up during the months of May and June.
Read more: Sunny, warmer Tuesday with highs in upper 70s; risk for severe weather ahead
Authorities perform controlled burn to help mitigate larger fires sparked by natural causes or humans that can get out of control and cause further and larger damage.
More burns are expected to be performed Wednesday; we will continue to update you where these will be located.
Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:
- Chief meteorologist Tom Terry
- Brian Shields
- Irene Sans
- Kassandra Crimi
- George Waldenberger
- Rusty McCranie
DOWNLOAD: Free WFTV News & Weather Apps
© 2020 Cox Media Group
