A fast-moving brush fire south of Tampa tore through dry brush and palmetto near Gray Road in Lithia on Friday afternoon, sending one person to the hospital in critical condition and pulling in a heavy response from local fire crews. Residents reported a towering column of smoke visible for miles as firefighters worked to shield nearby homes. Crews from the Florida Forest Service joined Hillsborough County Fire Rescue at the scene.
According to WTSP, multiple 911 callers reported a rapidly spreading blaze shortly after 2:30 p.m. Friday, and crews arrived within minutes. The station reports that firefighters concentrated on protecting nearby residences while medical personnel treated and transported one civilian in critical condition. No injuries were reported among first responders.
County response and tools
Hillsborough County has been boosting its brush fire capability this spring, adding four specialized “Skeeter” brush trucks designed to get into remote, off-road areas and corral fast-moving fires. County officials say Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has already handled hundreds more brush incidents so far in 2026, part of a broader push to upgrade equipment and station coverage as the season ramps up, according to Hillsborough County.
Fire crews reported that they had the Lithia blaze under control within about two hours and kept it from damaging surrounding structures. The cause is still under investigation. Photographs credited to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and shared in local coverage showed a thick column of smoke rising from the scene, underscoring how quickly the flames spread.
What this season looks like
Dry spring conditions have made brush fires across the Tampa Bay region more dangerous and unpredictable, and crews have at times called in aviation and mutual-aid resources for the biggest blazes. Earlier this year, firefighters battled a fast-moving brush fire in Wimauma that ballooned to several hundred acres, a reminder of how quickly grass and scrub fires can escalate, as reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Investigators from county and state agencies continue to examine the Lithia fire. Authorities are asking anyone with information or video of the blaze to contact Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and to follow the county newsroom for official updates on closures, safety guidance and any burn restrictions. For the latest information, see Hillsborough County.
