Apalachicola National Forest plans nighttime burn out near Wood Lake Landing

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 9, 2016—For Immediate Release. The Apalachicola National Forest plans two burn outs around Wood Lake Landing recreation area as a result of a wildfire, which started at approximately 5:41 p.m.last night.

Wakulla County Fire Rescue responded to the initial report and arrived on scene first to discover the wildfire was on the Apalachicola National Forest. U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters arrived shortly after to respond to the blaze now known as the Wood Lake Fire.

Currently, the fire is approximately 8 acres and is 50 percent contained. Due to hazardous daytime winds and safer post-sundown conditions, fire crews on scene will be conducting nighttime burn outs, tonight and Wednesday night to consume excess fuels that may ignite between the edge of the fire and the control line. Fire crews will burn approximately 300 acres per night.

Visitors and residents adjacent to the forest should use caution when traveling in the area and observe all signage and motorists are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas.

Currently, there are approximately 25 people involved with the incident including personnel from the Apalachicola National Forest and the Asheville Interagency Hotshot Crew.

Tonight’s burning operations will be within an area enclosed by Forest Roads 338-D and 399-Y to the north, Woodlake Road and Bone Bluff Lake Road to the south, Curtis Mill Road to the east and Woodlake Road (Forest Road 338) to the west.

Tomorrow night’s burning operations will be within an area enclosed by Forest Road 340 to the north, Forest Roads 338-D and 399-Y to the south, Curtis Mill Road to the east, and Woodlake Road (Forest Road 338) to the west.

Winds during the periods in which burning will take place are predicted to be out of the northwest blowing toward the southeast. Smoke may be visible in the area for the next few days.

The initial start burned over one acre and the cause of the fire is unknown. An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

For more information, continue to monitor us at http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/apalachicola/news-events.

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