LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — Crews are battling four wildfires spanning approximately 800 acres between Leon and Wakulla counties, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The U.S. Forest Service says about 800 acres in the Wakulla Ranger District, which spans parts of Leon and Wakulla counties, are burning due to four different wildfires. Of the four wildfires, two are located in Leon County and two are located in Wakulla County.
Officials say that the wildfires were sparked by lightning from thunderstorms on Monday.
They say lines have been established around all four fires. At this point, the wildfires are still burning from the interior.
The U.S. Forest Service along with the Florida Forest Services and crews from out of state are using bulldozers, fire engines and water buckets from airplanes to battle the flames.
As the potential for rain and thunderstorms grows this coming weekend, officials say they are concerned that lightning from the storms could hamper their efforts to contain the wildfires or spark entirely new ones because it's so dry outside.
However, a ranger from the district says that they are "prepared and cautious" with plenty of resources on standby should inclement conditions occur.
All four wildfires are still burning, according to officials.
Authorities are battling two wildfires burning more than 150 acres of land in western Leon County.
The U.S. Forest Service says that crews are battling the Sand Fly Fire in Leon County. They say 147 acres is currently aflame in the northeast corner of the Apalachicola Forest, just west of the SIlver Lake recreation area.
As of Friday, officials say the fire is still 40 percent contained. At this point, crews are working on putting out hotspots in the area.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Florida Forest Service is also managed a 10 acre fire on a private property nearby. That fire has since been extinguished.
The Florida Highway Patrol has also issued a travel advisory for smoke and fog in the area between Silver Lake Road and Lake Bradford Road as smoke slowly moves into Tallahassee city limits.
Officials are warning residents to be careful with fire as the surrounding area is "extremely dry" at the moment.
