Hardee County Fire burns 1,700 acres, about 80% contained

BOWLING GREEN, Fla. (WFLA) — Nearly 2,000 acres in Hardee County continue to smolder and burn Thursday, as the land has been on fire since Wednesday evening and crews continue to work on containment.

“We responded heavily because of the low humidity,” said Patrick Mahoney of the Florida Forest Service. “At the moment it looks like it's going to be a long night with the teams on site and the terrain is difficult, you have to cross several pastures, and with the pits here too.”

The fire grew to hundreds of acres in just a few hours Wednesday evening, but authorities said it was under control.

“The first units on scene reported a fast-moving, fast-moving brush fire,” said James Simpson, Hardee County Fire and Rescue Operations Chief. “No structures in danger were reported at this time. Just a big quick fire.

According to the Hardee County Fire Department, no neighbors or firefighters were injured.

“This massive incident has exceeded our capabilities,” Simpson said. “That’s why we called on many outside agencies. Polk County was on scene, with firefighters from Fort Meade, East Manatee and DeSoto also providing assistance.

Now a burning ban is in effect in Hardee County.

“It’s not about inconvenience, it’s about safety for everyone,” Simpson said. “In all honesty, you're putting a lot of lives at risk because a small spark is going to potentially cause a large wildfire, as it would in itself.”

On Thursday, the Forest Service plans to fly over the fire to get an exact measurement of its size and throw water on the flames.