UPDATE: THURSDAY May 8, 2008
Lake Okeechobee wildfire grows to nearly 6,000 acres

MOORE HAVEN, Fla. (AP) - Officials say a wildfire burning at Lake Okeechobee has grown to 5,800 acres.

Wind shifts could mean the fire may grow to 15,000 acres in the coming days.

The muck and grass are burning on the dry lake bed near Moore Haven, about 80 miles west of West Palm Beach. Fires also are burning on grassy islands in the lake.

Officials say smoke is impairing visibility on roadways west of the lake and could pose health problems.

Authorities suspect arson. Two fires began last Thursday and have mostly merged, separated only in sections by a canal.

Firefighters say the blaze is still contained within Lake Okeechobee's dike.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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UPDATE: WEDNESDAY May 7, 2008
Wind shift to bring smoky haze toward Gulf Coast

MOORE HAVEN, Fla. (AP) - Officials say counties to the west of Lake Okeechobee will see smoke from a wildfire that is burning at the lake.

About 4,000 acres of muck and grass are burning on the dry lake bed near Moore Haven, about 80 miles west of West Palm Beach. Fires also are burning on grassy islands in the lake.

Winds had been carrying the smoky haze east, prompting counties from Miami-Dade to Martin to issue health advisories. Officials said Wednesday the wind shift will start bringing smoke toward the Gulf Coast.

Authorities suspect arson. Two fires began late Thursday and have mostly merged, separated only in sections by a canal. Firefighters say the blaze is contained within Lake Okeechobee's dike.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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UPDATE: TUESDAY May 6, 2008
MOORE HAVEN, Fla. (AP) - Officials are working to contain a wildfire at Lake Okeechobee.

The state Division of Forestry says about 4,000 acres of muck and grass are burning on the dry lake bed near Moore Haven, about 80 miles west of West Palm Beach. Fires also are burning on grassy islands in the lake.

Authorities suspect arson. Officials say one fire began late Thursday. A second fire began around the same time. The two have since merged.

Firefighters say the blaze is contained within Lake Okeechobee's dike.

Officials have been getting reports of a smoky smell and haze from Broward County up through the Treasure Coast. Winds shifts are expected to soon carry the smoke to the Gulf Coast.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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MONDAY May 5, 2008
By WINK News
LAKE OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - According to Forestry officials, there is an estimated increase in the brush fire in Lake Okeechobee.

Officials say the fire continues to burn this afternoon, with an increase of 3,500 acres.

The Florida Division of Forestry's fixed-wing aircraft is fighting two wildfires, five miles long. The fires are burning from the rim of the lake well into the interior.

Firefighters continue to patrol the lake to make sure the fire remains contained within the lake bed.

Although currently the fire isn't threatening any homes or buildings, the main concern is smoke.

US 27 and County Road 720 is not shut down but smoke advisory signs are posted. Officials say smoke may create conditions where visibility on roadways is seriously impaired.

Officials are asking that drivers turn on low-beam headlights, slow down and be prepared to leave the roadway if conditions continue to deteriorate.

According Forestry officials, the fire was set on purpose.

The Florida Division of Forestry is asking anyone who has any information pertaining to these fires to please call the toll free Arson Alert hotline at 1-800-342-5869. You may be eligible for a reward up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.