Environment

Lochloosa West brush fire grows to 228 acres, prompts road closure and air quality warnings

A brush fire near Lochloosa Lake in southeast Alachua County expanded rapidly from 3 acres to 228 acres, reaching about 30% containment as crews worked through the night. The blaze forced the closure of County Road 325, though the road was later reopened Monday night, and smoke from the fire reduced visibility along U.S. 441 and I-75. No structures were reported threatened, and residents within a three-mile radius were placed on alert.

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