Prescribed burn briefly gets out of control near Upper Tampa Bay Park: Officials
Courtesy: Jennifer Holton
TAMPA - A Hillsborough County prescribed burn briefly got out of control for fire crews on Thursday, according to officials.
Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management was conducting the prescribed burn, but an unexpected wind shift led to the fire getting into another area of Upper Tampa Bay Park in the Westchase area.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said crews were called out for a smoke investigation just after 2:45 p.m. along West Hillsborough Avenue. They tracked the smoke to the controlled burn, and they were asked by officials at the scene to standby just in case they needed assistance.
The fire continued to grow, and 16 Hillsborough fire units responded with the Florida Forest Service to contain the blaze, officials said. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Tampa Police Department also responded to provide air support as crews worked to get the fire under control.
The more than 100-acre fire is 90% contained.
No injuries have been reported and no evacuations of nearby homes have been issued. Firefighters said Hillsborough Avenue was also not impacted.
Officials said two picnic shelters in the park were burned due to the fire. Upper Tampa Bay Park is expected to be closed until further notice.
Smoke could be seen coming from the area off of Hillsborough Avenue near Country Way.