In a press release issued May 27 by Brad Ruhmann, PIO/Communications Specialist for Polk County Fire Rescue, a muck fire burning east of the Haines City/Dundee area, that reportedly started Tuesday, May 22, from a lightning strike, grew to be more than 1,000 acres. This fire is producing a lot of smoke and ash that rolled across the entire county. The fire, isolated in a swamp, made it nearly impossible to make much progress fighting the fire so a significant rain event is needed to help extinguish it. Some rain was expected over the next 36 to 48 hours as Tropical Storm Beryl moves closer to land.

“We want to reassure everyone that this fire is contained,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Chief David Cash. “Polk County Fire Rescue is continuing to monitor the situation and will offer any assistance and resources to Florida Forestry should they need it.” “Other than the smoky conditions there is no real threat to our citizens and guests and we have taken precautions to mitigate those risks. As always their safety is our number one concern.”