SE 1st Street Fire in Florida’s Ocala National Forest 75% Contained

OCALA, Fla. — The SE 1st Street Fire in Ocala National Forest is 75% contained at 150 acres, according to a 12:00 p.m. update from the Florida Forest Service Facebook page.

Firefighters are conducting hot spot suppression and mop-up operations, with smoke expected to impact Route 314 and nearby areas for several days. Drivers should report visibility issues to the Florida Highway Patrol at *347.

The fire, reported late Wednesday afternoon, triggered a coordinated response from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Marion County Fire, and Florida Forest Service under a Unified Command. USFS deployed two dozers, several engines, two Type 1 heavy helicopters, two Type 3 helicopters, and three fixed-wing tankers from Jacksonville and Lake City. Marion County provided structure protection units and brush trucks, while the Florida Forest Service contributed seven dozers and additional ground resources.

Over 50 personnel, supported by six engines, three dozers, one UTV, and aviation assets, worked into the night, securing containment lines by 10 p.m. Crews will continue mop-up and fire line reinforcement in the coming days.

Other Fire Updates

• Lynne Fire (NE 10th St. Rd, north of SR 40 and Waldena Lake): Progress continues despite challenges from deep swamp duff, with Type 1 helicopters assisting ground crews in mop-up.
• Lake Charles Fire: Interior fuels have reduced, and the fire remains within its footprint. Monitoring will continue, with no further updates unless conditions change.
• Bombing Range 11 Fire: Crews will keep monitoring, with this being the final report unless new activity occurs.

High Fire Danger and Burn Restrictions

Dry conditions persist with relative humidities in the 30s to low 40s, and thunderstorms today and tomorrow may bring lightning, raising the risk of new fires. Residents are urged to avoid ignition sources like pile burns.

Lake County is under a burn ban, and Marion County has a voluntary “do not burn” request.