UPDATED: 400-acre forest fire east of Gainesville shuts down SR 26
April 15, 2026
Staff report
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – A large fire in the Balu Forest, east of Gainesville, has closed State Road 26. Eastbound traffic on State Road 26 is being diverted southbound onto County Road 234, and westbound traffic on State Road 26 is being turned around and diverted to U.S. Hwy 301.
According to a 9:35 p.m. final evening update from the Florida Forest Service – Waccasassa Forestry Center, the fire is now 400 acres but is 30% contained. Crews will remain on scene throughout the night. Florida Highway Patrol will determine when to reopen State Road 26. Smoke signs are in place on State Road 26.
Who has heard of Balu Forest? It isn’t on the maps, but it’s typical, Alachua county loves to be vague. It is a FIRE, why not give an intersection landmark (SR26 & Windsor rd) I have been asking everyone I know where the “Balu forest” is and not one person knows what I’m talking about. Sure the article says east of the airport but there is millions of acres east of the airport.
I found it in about a minute by doing a Google search.
WHINER.