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Smoke Dissipates, But Fog Affects Visibility On I-4

Tribune photo by JIM REED

Firefighters contained a brush fire Monday that charred 30 acres between Moore and Old Polk City roads in north Lakeland.

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TBO.com

Published: March 9, 2009

Updated: 03/10/2009 06:38 am

LAKELAND - Drivers may have to contend with fog this morning, but at least they won't have to deal with smoke.

Fog is affecting visibility along the Interstate 4 corridor as well as in Lakeland and between Plant City and downtown Tampa, News Channel 8 meteorologist Jennifer Hill said.

However, lingering smoke from a brush fire was affecting drivers on I-4 and Old Polk City Road earlier this morning but had dissipated by 6 a.m., TBO.com traffic reporter Alicia Roberts said.

The brush fire was reported at 1:55 p.m. Monday. Florida Division of Forestry crews contained the blaze about 4 p.m. It charred 30 acres in north Lakeland between Moore and Old Polk City roads, firefighters said.

Initially, the fire threatened five structures, but firefighters kept the flames away. Firefighters encircled the blaze with fire breaks and were mopping up hot spots late Monday afternoon.

Officials placed signs on Old Polk City Road warning motorists of possible smoke and monitored I-4 through the night, the Polk County Department of Public Safety said. They started removing the signs this morning.

The National Weather Service says the patchy fog could linger until 9 a.m. today. Also, the wind is expected to be calm, aiding the formation of fog.

Patchy fog is also in the forecast for Wednesday morning.

In February 2008, smoke from a brush fire mingled with fog over a portion of I-4, cutting visibility to zero and causing a massive chain-reaction collision.

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