Lochloosa fire at 956 acres, 50% contained

Staff report

HAWTHORNE, Fla. – The Florida Forest Service has announced that the Lochloosa fire now covers 956 acres and is 50% contained.

Crews continue to work this fire 24 hours a day. Last night and the night before, they conducted burnout operations, which means they fired off areas of unburned fuel (vegetation) when humidity is up and winds are down in an effort to reduce the potential of the fire burning into those areas during drier and windier conditions in the daytime hours, potentially leading to erratic fire behavior such as spotting. This resulted in ash falling in areas of east Gainesville and Waldo last night. Helicopters continue to respond to this fire each day to drop water in areas containing heat.

Smoke from this fire has the potential to impact areas northeast of the fire today, due to winds from the southwest.

A map of the fire area will be posted as soon as one is available.