INTERLACHEN, Fla. — Residents and commuters in Interlachen can expect persistent smoke and fog conditions over the next several days due to ongoing activity from the Pace Court Fire. The Florida Forest Service reported that the conditions are impacting areas near Keuka Road, South State Road 21 and 20A.
While the Florida Forest Service has established containment lines around the fire, unburned vegetation remaining inside the perimeter continues to smolder. This activity is producing smoke that is expected to affect the local area until significant rainfall occurs, the Florida Forest Service.
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The ongoing smoke is fueled by unburned vegetation located within the containment lines established by the Florida Forest Service. This includes “needle cast,” which refers to pine needles that were scorched during the fire, the forest service said. As these needles fall from the trees to the forest floor, they land on ground that still contains significant heat, providing fresh fuel for the fire to consume, the forest service said.
The combination of smoke and fog is primarily affecting visibility near Keuka Road and the intersections of South State Road 21 and 20A. Officials advise motorists traveling through these portions of Interlachen to use caution, as conditions are expected to fluctuate for the “foreseeable future,” the forest service said.
Smoke and fog are expected to persist in the area for the next several days. Officials stated that these conditions will likely continue intermittently until the area receives substantial, saturating rainfall.
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