Live Oak — From the Florida Forest Service
Summary:
UPDATE 1-23-2012 @ 9:30 a.m.
Wildfire in Lafayette County in the Mallory Swamp near Hines Highway and South Canal/L.A. Bennett Grade (STR 15/7S/12E);
The L.A. Bennett Wildfire started at 50 acres near Hines Highway. The wildfire jumped South Canal/L.A. Bennett Grade and was upgraded to 100+ acres at that time and continued to grow.
* After cutting out larger pockets of unburned vegetation previously located within the fireline perimeter, the L.A. Bennett Wildfire was re-measured at 427.9 acres.
* The fire is now 100 percent contained. However, this does not mean the fire is out/controlled. It simply means that we have managed to plow firelines around the entire perimeter of the fire. There remains a large amount of smoke and hotspots. Bits of unburned vegetation within the fireline perimeter also have the potential to ignite and create fire embers which, when transported by the wind, could cause new fires outside the confines of the L.A. Bennett fireline. We are working tenaciously to make sure this does not happen by aggressively targeting hot spots and smoke within the fireline.
*On Friday, a Strike Team out of the Everglades and Okeechobee Districts of the Florida Forest Service began working on the Fire. They bring with them specialized equipment for fighting wildland fire in swampy areas. They are assigned to the L.A. Bennett Fire for two weeks if the need should arise.
SAFETY MESSAGE: We encourage hunters and those who frequent the Mallory Swamp to steer clear of the areas and roads where crews are working. In addition to the dangers that come from heavy equipment operations, at times, visibility is very limited due to smoke.
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