JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you’re seeing and smelling the smoke in our area on Friday morning, you are certainly not alone.
A wildfire more than 100 miles west of Jacksonville is to blame for an air quality alert.
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Conditions are expected to get better, but the smoke from the 1,400-acre wildfire in Lafayette County was very noticeable Friday morning.
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Officials say the South Canal Fire, located about 45 minutes southwest of Lake City, is pushing smoke into the region due to strong winds.
Although the smoke was thick overnight, the wildfire is actually further away than Brantley County, Georgia, where we’ve been seeing those wildfires. Brantley County is about 70 miles north of Jacksonville.
Emergency management officials are actively monitoring the situation, and as of 6 a.m. Friday, the air quality was at 159, according to Air Now, putting Jacksonville in the unhealthy range.
Health warning
There are no active wildfires within Duval County at this time.
However, officials are urging residents — particularly those with health sensitivities — to take precautions until conditions improve.
Those with asthma or other respiratory conditions, pregnant women, young children and adults over 65 should minimize outdoor activity and take extra precautions while smoke remains in the area.
“You don’t want people to panic, but you certainly want people who suffer with respiratory illnesses or issues to be aware of their surroundings and know when they should minimize their outdoor activities,” said Dr. Sunil Joshi, the city’s Chief Health Officer.
But even if you’re in tip-top shape, Joshi says to take some things into consideration.
“You can still be outside and do things, but maybe minimize the duration and intensity of that activity,” Joshi said. “So, if you’re going to run for 30 minutes at a 10-minute per mile pace, maybe reduce that down a little bit and slow down and spend a little less of that time outside.”
What residents can do
Residents are encouraged to take the following steps if smoke becomes heavy:
- Limit outdoor activity if sensitive to smoke
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Monitor air quality at AirNow.gov
If you see flames or a heavy, defined column of smoke, call 911 immediately.