OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — Firefighters from the Florida Forest Service and Okeechobee County Fire Department are seeking to control a 5-acre brush fire in the Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area near the Florida Turnpike, a state agency spokesman said Tuesday night.
The fire, which is between northwest 364th Street and Northwest 10th Avenue, was reported around 7 p.m., Miguel Nevarez, public information officer with the Florida Forest Service, told WPTV's Kate Hussey.
Besides forest personnel, county fire department personnel are on the scene.
Sheriff's office spokesman Jack Nash said "everybody and anybody are responding" from his agency.
Jessica Smith provided video of the brush fire to WPTV.
The sheriff's office asked people to avoid Highway 441 North, through Northwest 342nd Trail to 364th Road in a Facebook post. Late Tuesday night, the agency said 441 is open, "but use EXTREME CAUTION traveling through the site."
Nevarez said the Florida Forest Service has two dozers on the scene, and they are having issues with spot over, meaning this fire is creating mini-fires around the actual fire.
Although there is much vegetation in the area, there are only a few shacks and buildings. He there is little concern about a need for evacuations.
