Heavy smoke from a brush fire forced officials to close S.R. 19 south of Salt Springs on Saturday as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Human remains located in the Ocala National Forest have been presumptively identified as a missing man whose bike was found several days earlier, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Three brush fires were reported in the Ocala National Forest “following the passage of a thunderstorm," according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.

Widespread rain swept across Central Florida as the U.S. Forest Service and Florida Forest Service worked to contain ongoing brush fires in Marion County.

Residents in Marion County were ordered to evacuate on Friday after a 150-acre fire broke out near the Ocala National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

People have mixed feelings on this, but one thing that doesn’t change, you might need a backup if you can’t get a spot into the Wekiwa Springs this summer. Here are five of our favorite, lesser-known springs in the Central Florida area.

In a meeting that was well over capacity, hundreds of people packed tightly together inside the Astor Community Association Thursday to weigh in on the future use of the Silver Glen Springs.

The Salt Springs Recreation Area and marina in the Ocala National Forest was forced to close Saturday due to the presence of a “nuisance alligator,” according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The FWC announced that it began investigating the forest earlier this month after a dumpsite was discovered with over 1 ton of household garbage, including furniture and appliances.

One spot in Florida stands above the others as the most “breathtaking natural marvel” in the state, according to 247Tempo.

You can get a real Christmas tree here in Central Florida for just $10, if you are willing to cut it down yourself.

Two people were bitten in the head by an alligator at Alexander Springs in Lake County.

An alligator attacked a snorkeler, prompting the closure of a Central Florida springs.

In a release, the Forest Service said that the area would remain closed until the alligator was safely trapped and removed.

Deputies said the woman, Theresa Hartley, was last seen in the area of North Forest Road 88 around one mile south of North Forest Road 66 in the Ocala National Forest, near Lake Delancey.

Navy training schedules indicate training will take place at the Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest from June 6 - 18.

The Navy will be conducting bombing exercises at the Pinecastle Range Complex on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Loud bombing sounds will ring through areas nearby the Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest from Monday to Thursday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Did it smell like smoke when you stepped outside on Monday in Central Florida?

If you were alarmed by loud booming sounds around Ocala, don't worry, it's just the U.S. Navy dropping live bombs for practice.

You can get a Christmas tree for $10 by cutting one down in the Ocala National Forest. But there are some things you need to know.

A 64-year-old motorcyclist from Orlando is dead after he crashed on a trail in the Ocala National Forest around 2:49 p.m. on Friday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Navy is set to conduct bombing training starting on Friday in the Ocala National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 42-year-old Ocala man and a bear were killed late Thursday in a motorcycle crash in Marion County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The fatal wreck was reported at 11:02 p.m. on State Road 40 at State Road 19 near the Ocala National Forest. 40 when he struck the bear, which was in the westbound lane of the road. The bike overturned, ejecting the man, who was taken to a hospital and later died, according to an FHP report. AdThe bear also died, troopers said.

Don’t be alarmed if you hear loud booms this week, the Navy is just dropping bombs. This week, the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville is conducting inert bomb training at Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest. The range complex is about 2 miles west of the Camp Ocala campgrounds and near several hiking trails. AdIt’s common for F-18 jet fighters and other Navy aircraft to drop bombs in the middle of the range. Anyone who has a noise complaint is asked to call the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility in Jacksonville at 800-874-5059.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A tornado watch was issued Monday for Flagler County as strong storms rolled through the region. The watch expired at 10 p.m.A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Rain chances will be at 40% Monday afternoon. Expect rain chances -- on and off -- at 50% by Wednesday night and 20% on Thursday.

If you hear loud booming sounds again this week, don’t be alarmed. This week, the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville is conducting inert bomb training at Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest. Training will be conducted during the following days and times, according to the Naval Air Station’s website. It’s common for F-18 jet fighters and other Navy aircraft to drop bombs in the middle of the range. The explosions and loud noises may push wildlife out of the forest and onto nearby roads.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Did you hear loud booms and feel your house shake Thursday? Turns out, it was caused by the Navy dropping bombs during training in Central Florida. Residents across Seminole and Orange counties called 911 about the “booms” and posted questions on Facebook groups looking for answers. It’s common for F-18 jet fighters and other Navy aircraft to drop bombs in the middle of the range. Anyone who has a noise complaint is asked to call the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility in Jacksonville at 800-874-5059.

Published: October 15, 2020, 8:07 am Updated: October 15, 2020, 9:56 amCITRA, Fla. – A pilot was killed early Wednesday when a single-engine plane crashed in a remote part of Marion County near the Ocala National Forest, officials said. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said its aviation unit located the downed plane near Orange Springs. investigators were able to reach the private plane and discovered the pilot, the sole occupant, dead, sheriff’s officials said. The pilot was identified as John Toole Jr., 65. Investigators believe that Toole may have been trying to land at a nearby private airstrip when the crash occurred.

The black lines showed forest roads, while the green lines represented previously legal roads that were closed. OUTDATED INFORMATIONMillions of people visit Florida’s national forests — Ocala, Apalachicola and Osceola — each year. “Everything was open unless it was designated as no access,” said Jay Perry, recreation program manager for Ocala National Forest. Or thousands of dollars and heavy equipment, also a preventable impact, that comes at the expense of the Forest Service. We’re above the Floridan aquifer, where all of this water filters down and comes back up out of the springs,” Ramirez said.

The loud booms across Central Florida continue, but don’t worry it’s just the Navy dropping bombs for training purposes. The Naval Air Station in Jacksonville is conducting live and inert bomb training at Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest. Training will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12. The range complex is about 2 miles west of the Camp Ocala campgrounds and near several hiking trails. It's common for F-18 jet fighters and other Navy aircraft to drop bombs in the middle of the range.

OCALA, Fla. – If you’ve heard loud booming sounds Friday, don’t worry it’s just the Navy dropping bombs in the middle of Florida. The Naval Air Station in Jacksonville is conducting live and inert bomb training at Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest. Training will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8. The range complex is about 2 miles west of the Camp Ocala campgrounds and near several hiking trails. It's common for F-18 jet fighters and other Navy aircraft to drop bombs in the middle of the range.

OCALA, Fla. – If you hear loud booming sounds, don’t worry it’s just the Navy dropping bombs in the middle of Florida. The Naval Air Station in Jacksonville is conducting live and inert bomb training at Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest. The range complex is about 2 miles west of the Camp Ocala campgrounds and near several hiking trails. It's common for F-18 jet fighters and other Navy aircraft to drop bombs in the middle of the range. Anyone who has a noise complaint is asked to call the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility in Jacksonville at 800-874-5059.