Winds helped crews with prescribed burn in Osceola National Forest

More than 3,000 acres of land burned Wednesday in Northeast Florida right now.

Firefighters were working on several big prescribed burns, two in Putnam County and a big 2,700-acre fire in the Osceola National Forest in Baker County.

Action News Jax went to the front lines of that fire to find out how crews are working to keep people safe. Firefighters actually used Wednesday’s windy conditions to their advantage.

Crews worked to burn brush so if a wildfire were to happen it would burn slower. But to do that, they tell us they needed the help of Mother Nature today in the Osceola National Forest.

First Alert Meteorologist Arielle Nixon said Wednesday was very windy.

“Winds are out of the west, sustained at 15 miles an hour but we’ll have gusts up to 25 and 30 miles an hour,” Nixon said.

Fire management officer Peter Myers said usually, they don't burn on days like Wednesday because the wind can cause the fire to jump and get out of control. But firefighters wanted that wind to blow the fire where the brush was scarce and not thick.

“We probably got 2,400 acres done in 2 hours so the wind really helped today,” Myers said.

Myers said they also used a helicopter to drop golf-like balls that ignite and burn the brush quicker as well

The prescribed burn is scheduled to end Wednesday night, but firefighters tell us neighbors can still expect to smell the smoke tomorrow.

To see the prescribed burns throughout the state, click here.

Cox Media Group