The Florida Forest Service and Orange County Fire Rescue say the 475-acre brush fire burning near Orlando's tourist district is 75 percent contained, but still billowing smoke over most of Central Florida.
- Brush fire near Daryl Carter Parkway and I-Drive
- 475 acres and fast-moving, per Florida Forest Service
- No injuries have been reported
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The "very aggressive" fire is near the intersection of Daryl Carter Parkway and International Drive. The first call regarding the fire came in at about 11:15 a.m. Friday, fire officials said.
Orange County Fire Rescue had at least 32 units respond to the scene. The Florida Forest Service also provided at least eight bulldozers and a helicopter. A Florida Forest Service airplane conducted reconnaissance of the fire.
Fire crews are urging drivers to be careful driving overnight in the area of I-Drive and State Road 417, and to monitor FHP and Orange County Sheriff's Office for road conditions.
Small flames that popped up around nearby condominium units forced firefighters to evacuate about 150 people, but all evacuations were lifted by about 4 p.m. Evacuations at two buildings of a time-share complex, the Sheraton Vistana Villages, have been lifted as well.
The fire backed up close to the Sheraton, according to some guests.
“Yeah, the fire got real close," Dan Donkel said. "It got right up against it, they had to evacuate one of the buildings. But there were still people laying by the pool. It was crazy. I asked one guy, is this like a normal vacation? He was like no."
An Orange County Fire Rescue spokeswoman said the brush fire might have been started by a transformer, but no official cause was determined as of Friday afternoon.
No injuries have been reported.
No structures are currently in danger, because the areas of concern have been contained, Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Wajda said.
“We are going to be patrolling the fire line making sure this fire stays within those lines," Wajda said. "We actually want it to burn with those lines and consume all that fuel. We will be patrolling the neighborhoods, making sure that there are no other issues that anyone needs to worry about tonight," Wajda said.
There are currently no road closures, but the Sheriff's Office is asking the public to keep clear of the area.
#CarterParkway now 75% cont. use caution on I-Drive and 417 overnight. Monitor @FhpOrlando and @OrangeCoSheriff for road conditions.
— FFS_Orlando (@FFS_ORLANDO) April 7, 2017
Brush fire situational alert: Please avoid the area of I-drive and Daryl Carter Blvd. pic.twitter.com/8kA8TVd3tB
— OCSO FL News (@OrangeCoSheriff) April 7, 2017
Forestry 22 making drops. #CarterParkway pic.twitter.com/pFevPmFnLJ
— FFS_Orlando (@FFS_ORLANDO) April 7, 2017
#BREAKING: Brush fire spreading off #InternationalDrive in #Orlando. This is at the Cumberland Park Apartment Complex. More now @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/cZz0xYTQLB
— Daniella Mastroianni (@DJ_Mastroianni) April 7, 2017
@MyNews13 Here's a timelapse from our hotel right now pic.twitter.com/DV4mWJu2Sg
— Jonathan Schrader (@thejonschrader) April 7, 2017
@MyNews13 from the Waldorf pic.twitter.com/pg98aT3wyl
Lots of smoke near Disney from the wildfire! @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/PA2vQerQBv
— Summer (@summee777) April 7, 2017
Fire danger this weekend in Central Florida
As dry conditions continue, most of Central Florida is in a Fire Danger Risk this weekend. News 13 Chief Meteorologist Bryan Karrick has an update on the conditions:
🔥🚨 Most of Central Florida is in a Fire Danger Risk this weekend. @BKarrickWX has the latest on the dry conditions ⤵️ | #CarterParkway pic.twitter.com/L88Opyn2RG
— Weather Experts (@MyNews13Weather) April 7, 2017
This is a developing story. Check back and refresh the page for the latest updates.