Environment

100-acre Lochloosa West Fire forces road closure, smoky conditions near Hawthorne

A wildfire that ignited Monday afternoon in southeast Alachua County near Lochloosa Lake and Hawthorne rapidly expanded from 3 acres to more than 100 acres, prompting Florida Forest Service crews to work through the night to improve containment lines. The blaze forced the closure of County Road 325 between County Road 346 and Southeast 152nd Lane, while smoke reduced visibility for drivers on U.S. 441 and I-75. Residents within a three-mile radius of the fire were warned, though officials reported no structures were threatened.

Sources: WUFT News · The Independent Florida Alligator · The Gainesville Sun · WCJB TV20 · Mainstreet Daily News