Single Publication

Acres:  4115 acres (as of 5/19/2023)

Percent Containment:  46%

Start Date:  April 27, 2023

Cause:  Lightning

Jurisdiction:  Ocala National Forest & Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area

Resources:  222 personnel including 1 handcrew, 11 engines, 1 dozer, and 7 helicopters

Highlights:  High temperatures near 90 with winds from the east, and isolated afternoon showers 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, particularly in the southeast sector of the fire area with winds from the northeast to east today. Crews are poised to respond to new fire starts, spotting, and spread. Air resources are available to cool areas where fire is most active. Additional fire suppression resources are ordered and continue to arrive. Containment estimate is 46% due to better mapping.

Current Status:  Minimal fire activity occurred on Friday and light winds allowed burnout operations yesterday to reduce pockets of unburned fuels and limit potential spread. Additional burnout operations are planned for today as winds allow. State Road 19 remains closed as fire suppression work continues between FRS 46 and Sweetwater Cabin. Crews will be monitoring for flareups along the fire perimeter, reinforcing fireline along SR 19, and working on structure protection and contingency lines around residential areas. 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 continue to be a priority.

Potential for increased fire activity today as winds have shifted to a northeast to east direction. Wind shift could allow hot spots to find unburned fuels and cause spotting in the southeast sector of the fire.  The potential of new fire starts is low as the potential for lightning is minimal. Fuels remain dry and all fuel types are available to burn.

Weather:  High temperatures are forecast around 90 with lows in the upper 60s. Winds will be light and then from the east at 5 to 9 mph with gusts to 13 mph in the afternoon. Isolated showers are forecast this afternoon so there is a minimal to no threat of lightning.

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

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