LAKE PLACID, Fla. — Authorities have lifted evactuation orders after a brush fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in Lake Placid.
In a post on Facebook, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office said the brush fire broke out in the Sun 'n Lakes area near Sunflower Avenue and Fairfield Avenue.
Highlands County Fire Rescue added that the fire was around 6.8 acres wide when their crews arrived at around 5:30 p.m. There were reportedly 28 personnel and 19 units on scene.
Evacuations included 24 homes in the areas of Blue Moon Avenue, Moon River Avenue and Jack Weisser Boulevard, the agency said. A recreation center located off of Sun 'n Lakes Boulevard was opened for those who evacuated.
At 6:15 p.m., fire rescue announced the evacuation order was lifted in the area, but warned residents to be aware of smoke that could linger for several hours overnight.
Ariel footage from Sky 10 shows flames around an area of trees and large clouds of smoke in residential areas.
The brush fire comes one week after the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners approved a burn ban. Authorities say it was put in place as a result of dry weather patterns over an extensive period of time.
Highlands County residents are prohibited from burning anything without a state of Florida Forest Service permit, deputies said. That includes:
- Yard trash, vegetation, grass
- Lumber, trees
- Household paper products
- Debris
The sheriff's office said all bonfires, campfires, warming fires, outdoor fireplaces, pyrotechnic displays and open cooking fires are included in the ban. Anyone who doesn't comply will be fined up to $500 or jailed for, at most, 60 days.
The ban will be in effect for thirty days through June 20 unless it's extended by the board.