A wildfire flared up near Smith Road in Groveland on Friday, pulling in Florida Forest Service crews along with Lake County Fire Rescue as smoke rose over the flatwoods. Photos shared from the scene showed plumes drifting above the tree line while firefighters focused on keeping nearby structures out of harm’s way. Authorities urged residents to stay clear so engines and heavy equipment could move.
The Florida Forest Service’s Withlacoochee Forestry Center posted photos and a brief update on its Facebook page saying crews were responding to "a wildfire near Smith Rd in Groveland" and urging people to "stay clear of the area and allow responders space to work," according to Florida Forest Service - Withlacoochee Forestry Center. The post also noted that Lake County Fire Rescue was on scene to protect nearby structures.
Crews on scene
Local units zeroed in on structure protection while forestry crews worked the fire’s edge to corral the flames. Public incident reports list the Withlacoochee Forestry Center as the Florida Forest Service district that covers Lake County and describe how district crews are deployed during active wildfires, per the Florida Forest Service.
Dry conditions and recent activity
Lake County is already on heightened alert after officials issued a countywide burn ban in April, citing severe drought and a high Keetch-Byram Drought Index that spikes wildfire risk, according to WFTV. Earlier this month, a small escaped burn pile near Florida’s Turnpike turned into a multi-acre brush fire that pulled in forestry crews, a reminder of how fast the dry vegetation can light up, WESH reported.
Officials have not released estimates of the fire’s size or identified a cause. The Florida Forest Service said it will share more information on its Facebook page as crews continue their work, according to Florida Forest Service - Withlacoochee Forestry Center. Authorities are asking anyone who spots new smoke or flames to call 911 and to keep nearby roads clear for emergency vehicles.
