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SARASOTA – The fire broke out at around 2 pm this afternoon near the intersection of Ranch Road and Honore Avenue. Two tractors from the division of forestry as well as a helicopter are being used to battle the flames.
Spokesperson with the Florida Forest Service says the cause of the fire was a lighting strike in the area. “Lighting fires are very common this time of year.” said Logan Hatch, spokesperson. “Lighting will burn underground once it hits in the root system, so in 72 hours that fire can spring up and run with dryer conditions and less amount of rain.”
The Nokomis Fire Department and Sarasota County Fire Department are also assisting. Firefighters contained the fire before it could pose a threat to nearby homes.
