Wildfires Blamed on Dry Weather
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The Florida Highway Patrol closed a 10-mile section of Interstate 4 because of severe smoke from wildfires as firefighters battled several blazes sparked by extremely dry conditions.
The section will remain closed overnight on the heavily traveled route between Orlando and Tampa.
At least four fires were burning near Polk City, including one that burned 3,400 acres. A blaze in a swamp burned 1,000 acres and forced residents of six homes to evacuate. Up to three dozen others were warned to be ready to leave their homes.
In Indian River County, a 3,000-acre fire burned electricity transmission lines and forced the evacuation of a fishing camp before it was contained.
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