ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Some Central Florida counties are conducting prescribed, or controlled, burns, leading to visible smoke in the area.
Many people in Seminole County on Monday noticed smoke in the area. However, the Seminole County Fire Department said the wind brought over the smoke from Lake County where the prescribed burns were taking place.
The Florida Forest Service will conduct a 100-acre burn in Seminole State Forest in Lake County, south of Buck Run Drive, Tracy Canal and Lake Kathryn.
According to Lake County fire officials, prescribed burns help reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires by:
- Reducing excess fuel that can lead to dangerous wildfires
- Restoring forests by removing dead debris
- Returning vital nutrients to the soil
- Controlling invasive plant species
Orange County on Wednesday will conduct a 30-acre prescribed burn at Kelly Park in Apopka, which will create smoke that is visible from miles away. The burn was originally scheduled for Tuesday before it was canceled.
There is no need to call 911 if you see smoke, unless you see a column of it or an active fire.