Hernando Beach fire doubles in size to 650-acres

HERNANDO BEACH (FOX 13) - Hernando County Fire and Withlacoochee Florida Forest Service are battling a 650-acre brush fire at Shoal Line Blvd. and Cortez Blvd. near Hernando Beach.

Despite the first reports of the fire not coming in until Saturday, emergency officials say they think the fire might have started Thursday from a lightning strike.

"We had a lot of lightning and not much rain and typically in these marsh areas, lightning will  strike and it'll take a day or two for it to dry out, so it's just a little spark," Judith Tear of the Florida Forrest Service said.

The Hernando Beach boat ramp is closed in addition to Shoal Line Blvd. being shutdown from Osowaw Blvd. to Cortez Blvd.

Firefighters are working to keep the fire from spreading, though they expect the weather to worsen, causing the fire to continue it's growth.

Heavy smoke is visible throughout the area as firefighters work to contain the blaze.
Hernando County Fire says the brush fire is 25% contained and is expected to burn a total of 1,000 acres.