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Major Daily Update 5/21/2023
Major
Publication Type: News 05/22/2023
May 21, 2023
Release Time: 1030am
Acres: 4188 acres (as of 5/21/2023) Percent Containment: 38%
Start Date: April 27, 2023 Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Ocala National Forest & Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area
Resources: 247 personnel including 1 handcrew, 12 engines, 1 dozer, and 6 helicopters
Highlights: High temperatures in the lower 90 with winds from the east, and scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms are forecast. Crews will continue to monitor for hot spots, reinforce firelines, assess structure protection, and build contingency lines with emphasis on SR-19 and the communities of Silver Glen and Salt Springs. There is some potential for fire spread and spotting again today as well as new starts due to lightning. Crews and air resources are poised to respond to new fire starts, spotting, and spread. Additional fire suppression resources are ordered and continue to arrive daily. Containment estimate has been adjusted to 40% due to better mapping.
Current Status: Moderate fire activity occurred yesterday and showers in midday limited the ability to conduct planned burnout operations. Fire suppression activity will continue to be focused on reducing pockets of unburned fuels, reinforcing contingency fire line around communities east of SR-19, and rapid response to flare-ups, spotting outside firelines and new starts due to lightning. Air resources remain available to support fire suppression ground crews. Protection for historical and cultural resources, recreational areas, and residential properties in the Juniper Springs, Pat’s Island, Sweetwater Cabin, Juniper Wayside, and Silver Glen areas continues to be a priority.
Moderate fire behavior is expected for today with creeping, smoldering and some flare-ups. An area of concern continues to be hot spots finding pockets of unburned fuels and spotting in the southeast sector of the fire. The potential for new fire starts is increased today with lightning from scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Most fuels remain dry and all fuel types are likely to be available to burn during the afternoon hours.
Weather: High temperatures are forecast in the low 90s with lows around 70. Winds will be light and then from the east at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for late afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms can produce gusty and erratic winds and unpredictable fire spread.
Ocala National Forest & Juniper Prairie Wilderness Temporary Area Closures: Closures are in effect for the Juniper Prairie Wilderness including the Florida National Scenic Trail between SR40 and National Forest System Road (NFS) 50. National Forest System Roads (NFS) 33 between State Road 40 and NFS 50; NFS 46 from NFS 33 to State Road 19; and NFS 50 from NFS 33 to State Road 19 are closed. Closure Information available here.
Juniper Recreation and Hopkins Campground areas remain open at this time. Travel by residents, landowners , concessionaires, first responders, and permit holders (case-by-case) is permitted on NFS 50 east of Hopkins Campground.
SR 19 is closed between County Road 314 and SR 40 and traffic is being detoured onto CR 314 between SR 19 and SR 40.
Air Quality Outlook: Air quality in the vicinity of the fire is expected to be Good for the next 48 hours. Smoke Outlook available here.
Fire Information
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EDT Phone: 352-448-0665 Email: 2023.major@firenet.gov
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/flfnf-major