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Wildfires still burning in North Central Florida

North Central Florida firefighters continue working to contain 8 fires still burning in the area. Division of Forestry Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Ludie Bond says current weather conditions make it very difficult to completely kill the fires.

“We have not had significant rainfall, enough to put these fires completely out. So, some of the vegetation loads are very heavy on the surface- some go 2,3,4 feet below the surface with muck,” she says.

Although wildfire intensity has decreased over the past few days, Bond says it was an unusually early season. She says Alachua and Marion County residents will see mostly thick smoke instead of active flame. The Division of Forestry is now allowing limited burning because of the improved conditions, and anyone interested in finding out the status of their area can visit www.fl-dof.com.

Stephanie is a reporter for WUFT News who may be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org