Large Wildfire Breaks Out at Indian Lake

A large wildfire is raging tonight near Indian Lake Estates and the Canopy Oaks resort in eastern Polk County. More than 25 emergency units have been assigned to try to bring the inferno under control, and the Florida Forest Service has delivered heavy equipment to firefighters in an apparent attempt to build firelines to stop the spread of the flames.

The fire raging along CR 630 near Indian Lake has drawn scores of firefighters in an attempt to bring the flames under control.

Units from Lake Wales and Frostproof were sent to the scene to assist state and county firefighters under the direction of the Florida Forestry Service..

The fire was reported at 3:50 p.m. today near the intersection of Deland Avenue and CR 630, only a short distance south of the intersection of SR 60, a major east-west throughfare. That location is some 19 miles east of Lake Wales. Dense smoke is spreading over much of eastern Polk County on light easterly winds.

Tinder-dry conditions across the area, resulting from an ongoing drought, have made fires particularly dangerous at this time. A region-wide burn ban is in effect to limit the chance of such fires breaking out.

Indian Lake has experienced large fires in the past, largely due to its position in a fire-dependent natural habitat. The River Ranch hunting tracts a few miles east have burned on several occasions, resulting in the destruction of numerous small cabins and lodges in the area.

Details from the scene are scarce at this time as darkness has descended. Lake Wales News is attempting to gather more information and will update this story as it is received,