LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Forest Service said on Saturday they are battling a brush fire in the Cemex Mines area of Clermont, according to a news release.
According to the release, the 16-acre wildfire as of 5:30 p.m. was reported off of Johns Lake Road in Lake County.
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“The fire is currently burning within a pit, and due to extremely dry conditions, crews will implement a strategic back burn of more than 500 acres to help contain and extinguish the wildfire,” officials said in the release.
Officials said the operation is being coordinated with the Clermont Fire Department and Lake County Fire Rescue.
The back burn is a critical suppression technique that removes available fuel and prevents the fire from spreading beyond its current location, officials noted in the release.
Residents and visitors are asked to avoid the area to ensure safe and efficient access for emergency personnel. Smoke may be visible in surrounding communities during the operation.