50-Acre Brush Fire At Sheriff's Training Facility Proved Challenge

LITHIA, FL — The cause of a 50-acre brush fire at a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office training facility is under investigation.

On Friday, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded to the training grounds off State Road 39 in Lithia with 20 units and dozens of firefighters.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue worked with the Florida Forest Service and both the sheriff's office's and Tampa Police Department's helicopters for three hours to contain the blaze.

The forestry service provided brush trucks and cut fire stops in heavily wooded areas to halt the spread of the fire while helicopters equipped with buckets poured water on the fire from the air.

Fire officials said dry conditions, tall grass, topography and brisk winds made fighting the fire difficult.

There were no injuries and no structures were impacted.