OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — The fire at Lake Okeechobee that sparked Thursday evening has now spanned 8,600 acres, according to Okeechobee County Fire Rescue.
As of Friday evening, the fire has been 100% contained.
Okeechobee County Fire Rescue said in a statement that though the fire has been contained, "portions of the lake bed will continue to smolder and produce smoke until substantial rainfall fully extinguishes any remaining hot spots. Please remain vigilant, exercise caution, and promptly report any unsafe burning."
Due to the terrain and conditions of the lake's bottom, the area is not accessible to ground equipment.
The blaze comes after a county-wide burn ban was implemented due to extreme drought conditions.
The Florida Forest Service's Okeechobee District is actively monitoring the situation.
The Florida Forest Service has recorded over 650 wildfires since the first of the year, burning approximately 21,000 acres.
