Tag Archives: wildfire

Burnt Island Wildfire continues to spread causing smokey conditions in Southeast Alachua County (12/22/2011)

December 22, 2011NewsBurnt Island, Cross Creek, Donna Green-Townsend, wildfireDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on December 22nd, 2011

Gusty winds are pushing the growing wildfire in Southeast Alachua County a little closer to Cross Creek. Forestry officials say a variety of agencies are fighting the fire from the air and on the ground. The wildfire has grown to about 1,300 acres as of Thursday afternoon. Heavy smoke and flare-ups caused a shutdown of U.S. Highway 301 near County Road 325 last night. The highway is currently open for traffic today. Meanwhile, Alachua County and Union County officials have issued a burn ban because of current fire conditions. Residents are not allowed to have any type of outdoor burning for the next two weeks given the extremely dry conditions. Marion County has just issued a voluntary burn ban.

Massive wildfire near Island Grove, Lochloosa and Cross Creek continues to grow from windy, dry conditions (12/22/2010)

December 22, 2010NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Lochloosa Lake, Ludie Bond, wildfireDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on December 22nd, 2010

Firefighters from a variety of agencies continue to battle a growing wildfire near Island Grove and Cross Creek in Southeast Alachua County not far from the historic Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park. About 300 acres burned on Tuesday near Lochloosa Lake. That fire has tripled in size because it’s in an area where firefighting equipment can’t get to. WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with the Florida Division of Forestry, Ludie Bond to get an update on what’s being called the “Burnt Island fire.” Meanwhile, because of extremely dry conditions, Alachua County has issued a burn ban until the area receives more rainfall.