Lakeland Brush Fire Under Control, Roads Open

LAKELAND, FL — The Lakeland Fire Department says motorists can once again use roads near the George Jenkins Boulevard overpass following a Wednesday night brush fire. The blaze was deemed “completely controlled” shortly after 9 a.m. May 18.

According to the agency, the fire was reported around 6 p.m. Wednesday. The blaze broke out under the overpass where the connection with Kathleen Road is made.

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“Due to dry conditions and high winds, the fire spread quickly and was challenging to control,” the agency reported Wednesday evening. The blaze was mostly contained by late Wednesday night, but roads in the area remained impacted into early Thursday.

On Thursday morning, firefighters said motorists will still likely see “small fires and smoke” in the area. These hot spots, however, are being monitored.

“There is no cause for alarm and no need to report this as emergency workers are well aware,” the agency’s Thursday email said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities say there were no injuries or structure damage associated with the fire.

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Photo courtesy of the Lakeland Fire Department