A Saturday evening brush fire in the Potts Wildlife Management Area near North Dee River Road in Inverness drew a fast, multi-agency response, complete with a forest-service helicopter overhead. Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters from the Withlacoochee Forestry Center teamed up with Citrus County Fire Rescue on the ground. Officials said the south side of the blaze had been contained, no evacuations had been ordered, and they urged residents to steer clear so crews could work safely.
What officials reported
According to the Florida Forest Service - Withlacoochee Forestry Center, crews were working a wildfire at North Dee River Road in the Potts Wildlife Management Area and had the south side of the fire contained while the overall size of the blaze was still undetermined. The agency reported that a helicopter was en route to assist and reminded the public that drone flights are not permitted near the incident so aerial operations can continue without interruption.
Where the fire burned
The Potts Wildlife Management Area lies east of Inverness and “covers over 4,000 acres of protected water resources,” supporting floodplain forests, freshwater marshes and scrub that are home to species such as the Florida scrub-jay, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Just next door, Potts Preserve, managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, lists roughly 8,500 acres of conservation land, with trailheads and primitive campsites accessible from North Dee River Road. That mix of riverfront marsh, flatwoods and backcountry trails can make suppression work more complicated when fires start deep inside the tract.
Aerial support and safety warnings
Officials said aerial support had been requested to help attack the fire from above and stressed that unmanned aircraft can interfere with those efforts. The Federal Aviation Administration advises both recreational and commercial UAS pilots to stay away from emergency-response operations, since unauthorized drones can force helicopters and other firefighting aircraft to pause, which complicates suppression efforts. Local incident commanders also asked the public to keep roads and staging areas clear so engines and heavy equipment can move in and out without obstruction.
What residents should know
Residents and visitors are being asked to avoid access points along North Dee River Road and to call 911 if they see smoke or are in immediate danger. For on-scene photos and the latest status updates, officials directed the public to the Florida Forest Service - Withlacoochee Forestry Center post, and to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Potts Preserve page for information on trails and any closures.
