OCALA, Fla. – Did it smell like smoke when you stepped outside on Monday in Central Florida?
The Florida Forest Service wanted to let the public know it is not something to worry about.\
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The U.S. Forest Service conducted a 1,818-acre prescribed burn in the Ocala National Forest in Lake County on Monday.
Crews said the smoke drifted toward Orlando from Ocala.
Central Floridians could smell the smoke from Ocala to the Doctor Phillips area on Monday.
Officials said to be cautious while driving in smoky areas.
Multiple people posted concerns on social media Monday about a thick dark smoke hovering in the sky around Orange County.
Claudio Orozco of Ocoee said she saw it while driving to her dentist appointment.
“I mean it was everywhere I just couldn’t tell where it was coming from,” she said.
The Florida Forest Service would like to inform the public, the U.S. Forest Service is conducting a 1,818 acre Rx Burn in the Ocala Natl Forest (Lake County). Be advised the smoke from the burn is drifting toward Orlando, so use caution if you’re traveling in the area. #FLFire
— FFS Orlando (@FFS_Orlando) February 14, 2022
Keith Mousel, a representative with the Florida Forest Service said it could have been caused by a prescribed burn.
“If they were burning a large area, it could send smoke down into Orange County and further before it completely dissipates and leaves the area,” he said.
Mousel said prescribed burns happen throughout the year. Fire officials carry out controlled fires to protect communities by preventing big disasters like wildfires.
“With all the vegetation being frost here right now we are very susceptible to easy ignites and burns at this time of year,” he said.
He said fire managers are removing hazardous fuels that easily ignite under wildfire conditions.
The burns usually cause a light haze and a smoky smell.
Brush fire this evening at Indigo Lakes caused by a discarded cigarette. Fire grew to 25x25 but firefighters contained and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading quickly.
Posted by Daytona Beach Fire Department on Monday, February 14, 2022
He said people who have respiratory conditions like asthma may be impacted by the smoke.
Mousel mentioned that smoke can come from numerous places though, not just authorized burns.
“Smoke could be coming from authorized burns whether they be broadcast, or pile burns or they could be coming from wildfires,” he said.
He said the best way to figure out if the smoke is coming from a controlled fire or something else more serious residents can check a burn map on this website.
The website will show all authorized fires in the area. He said if you do not see an authorized fire on the map in your area, it could be a wildfire.
The Daytona Beach Fire department said a discarded cigarette at Indigo Lakes caused a brush fire, crews were able to contain it.