ORLANDO, Fla. — A lot of listeners to News 96.5 WDBO have been calling the newsroom and using the open mic feature in our app to ask about smoke all over Orange and southern Seminole County on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the St. Johns River Water Management District, there's a 1400 acre prescribed burn happening within the Lake Apopka North Shore, west of Lake Level Canal road.
“The purpose of the burn is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems,” SJRWMD said.
Orange County Fire and Rescue tweeted there are also two burns on the east side of Orange County at 528 and 520, as well as 528 and Dallas.
#ControlledBurns - 911 operators are receiving multiple calls with reports of smoke in the area. There are 3 large controlled burns taking place in @OrangeCoFL today. Windy conditions are moving the smoke across the county. The 2 burns on the East side are 528/520 & 528/Dallas.
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) January 21, 2020
(App users tap here to see tweet)
Our meteorologist George Waldenberger says the winds today are driving the smoke over Orlando.
Seeing or smelling smoke?
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) January 21, 2020
There's a 1400 acre prescribed burn at Lake Apopka North Shore, winds are driving smoke over #Orlando. #WFTV #FLwx #Florida pic.twitter.com/HiKxRutfGv
(App users tap here to see tweet)
Waldenberger later tweeted an aerial view of the smoke:
Lots of smoke from burns over #Florida on satellite, and clouds as colder air moves over warmer sea waters. #WFTV #FLwx pic.twitter.com/anEmwxti1A
— George Waldenberger (@GWaldenWFTV) January 21, 2020
(Tweet)