POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A brush fire that began Wednesday in Polk County is holding at 4,500 acres as of Saturday, according to the Florida Forest Service - Lakeland District.
At latest, Florida Forest Service personnel were monitoring and improving existing containment lines, as well as installing new ones, the district said in a news release. Divided into divisions, Division A reported 90% containment of their portion of the fire while Division B reported 75% containment, the release states.
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“Division B is still showing some active burning with our crews still working on more containment lines,” Forest Area Supervisor Pete Lewis said in a statement. “Our personnel have been putting in some long hours trying to protect property, and our lines are holding due to their dedication.”
Eight tractor/plow units, three heavy tractors, eight brush trucks and around 10 support personnel were working the fire Saturday, according to the release. Though an investigation into the cause of the fire has already begun, it could take several weeks before any findings are released due to the sheer size of the blaze, the release states.
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Drivers in the River Ranch and Indian Lakes Estates area were advised to use caution due to changing smoke conditions, the Florida Forest Service said, adding portions of County Road 630 and Highway 60 may shut down depending on said conditions.
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