Lakeland Police shut down a portion of George Jenkins Boulevard early Wednesday evening as crews worked to contain a brush fire in the area.

As of 8:30 p.m., the Lakeland Fire Department reported the fire was contained, and that the Florida Forest Service was on the scene cutting a perimeter to maintain containment.

 

 

Earlier in the day, heavy winds complicated the effort to combat the fire. At one point, the flames jumped the George Jenkins Boulevard overpass in the area and spread to the woods on the other side.

 

Lakeland Police shut down traffic on George Jenkins Boulevard at Sloan Avenue around 6:30 p.m.

Lakeland Fire Department crews are on the scene fighting the fire. No information has been released yet regarding the size of the fire or level of containment.

Both east and westbound lanes of the George Jenkins overpass between Sloan Avenue and Kathleen Road are expected to remain closed overnight as Lakeland Fire Department and Florida Forest Service crews work to maintain containment on the fire. Lakeland Police officers will remain on scene to assist with traffic.