Smoke from Georgia wildfire reaches Bay area

Saturday, April 21, 2007

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A wildfire burning in Georgia has affected the Bay area as smoke from the fires has been pushed south into Citrus, Hernando and even parts of Pasco counties.

The fires are burning near Waycross, located in south Georgia.

Hernando County Fire Rescue has advised that smoke from the fires is being pushed across Florida by the current weather front. The smoke has affected visibility in some areas.

The Dunedin, Safety Harbor, and Tarpon Springs Fire Departments also report that the Division of Forestry is conducting a controlled burn on the south side of SR 580 near the Hillsborough/Pinellas county line.

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Smoke from that fire is also affecting northern Pinellas County.

The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County has issuing an air quality notice for Hillsborough County. The elevated pollution levels in the air are due mainly to the wildfires burning in southern Georgia.

The EPC said although the air quality in Hillsborough County has not reached unhealthy levels, they advise sensitive individuals, such as elderly people, children, and individuals with respiratory ailments to limit any prolonged outdoor activities.

The smoky conditions are expected to continue throughout the remainder of Friday and into Saturday.

For any further information about the air quality in Hillsborough County, call the air quality Index line at 813-627-2626.

There is no danger of the fire reaching the Bay area.