Smoke and fog from the brush fire that's still burning in Frostproof is improving, but slowly.
- Polk County brush fire 80 percent contained
- 5,000 acres and a dozen homes have been scorched
- PREVIOUS: 5,000 acres lost due to '630 Fire' in Polk County; number expected to rise
The flames have already scorched 5,000 acres in southeast Polk County.
Authorities say that number is likely to rise. As of Saturday evening, the fire was about 80 percent contained. Fire crews are continuing to fight the massive brush fire, which sparked Wednesday. Invetsigators still haven't identified what started the flames.
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Ron Perkins described the brush fire as unlike anything he's ever seen before.
"It was so fast so devastating," said Perkins. "You hear 'bam, boom' the propane tanks blowing up. People losing everything they had."
Perkins said flames came within a hundred yards of his camp but, luckily, it was spared. He said his friends weren't as lucky.
A dozen homes and countless camps were destroyed in the fire. A cause has yet to be determined. No human lives have been lost, but several pets and wild animals have perished.