Smell Smoke? N. Florida Wildfires Blow Into Bradenton

Thirty-thousand acres of burning forest in North Florida is sending smoke south  across Tampa Bay and into Bradenton.

The massive fire, along with smaller blazes across Florida, is causing air pollution in Bradenton. The air quality is so poor, school officials advised the individual schools to avoid any prolonged outdoor activity today.

"Our county is experiencing very smoky conditions," Sally Hull, coordinator of Environmental Health and Safety for the Manatee school district warned school officials Thursday morning. "It is advised that the schools avoid prolonged outdoor activities when smoke is in the area and keep our students inside as much as possible."

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning through 8 tonight, meaning dry hot winds and low humidity in Florida and some other areas of the U.S. are creating "fire weather conditions."

People with asthma and other respiratory or eye problems are advised to stay indoors today.

The state also has issued tips for helping to protect homes during wildfire season. Florida is at risk of wildfires all year, though the problems intensify in the hotter months.

The pervasive smoke in Florida is from a wildfire in the Osceola National Forest, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Emergency dispatchers across the state are being flooded with calls about the smell, according to TBO.com.