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Major Fire Daily Update May 19, 2023
Major
Publication Type: News 05/20/2023
May 19, 2023
Release Time: 945am
Acres: 4115 acres (as of 5/19/2023) Percent Containment: 52%
Start Date: April 27, 2023 Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Ocala National Forest & Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area
Resources: 197 personnel including 1 handcrew, 5 engines, 1 dozer, and 6 helicopters
Highlights: High temperatures in the low 90s, light winds, and scattered afternoon thunderstorms are forecast. Fire suppression resources 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. Air resources will be used to cool areas where fire is most active. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal with lighter winds. Crews are ready to respond to new fire starts and unpredictable spread possible due to lightning and gusty, erratic winds from afternoon thunderstorms. Additional fire suppression resources are ordered and continue to arrive. Containment increased to 52% yesterday.
Current Status: Fire activity decreased Thursday as lighter winds prevailed. State Road 19 remained closed as fire suppression work continues along SR 19. 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.
Fire behavior will be reduced today with lighter winds. The possibility of new fire starts continues as thunderstorm activity remains forecast for the next several days. Erratic and gusty winds from thunderstorms can also produce unpredictable fire spread. Shrubs have dried out, so all fuel types are available to burn.
Weather: High temperatures are forecast in the low 90s with lows in the upper 60s. Winds will be light and becoming west to northwest in the afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon and remain in the forecast for the next few days. Thunderstorms can be accompanied by gusty and erratic winds.
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