Smelling smoke in Manatee County? It’s probably this, safety officials say
Residents who reported smelling smoke across Manatee County this week weren’t imagining it.
Officials say the odor likely came from wildfires and prescribed burns east of the county. The reports prompted questions on social media about where the smoke was coming from.
“We are aware of reports from residents regarding the smell of smoke in parts of Manatee County and have seen similar discussions online,” Manatee County Public Safety spokesperson Francesca Constantini told the Bradenton Herald on Tuesday.
According to the county, northeast winds have been carrying smoke from prescribed burns in counties east of Manatee County into the area. Constantini said “some residual smoke from a prescribed burn conducted at Duette Preserve last Friday” also remained in the area, though that operation has since been paused until additional rainfall is received.
In Parrish, one resident posted on social media that they smelled smoke but saw “no flames or embers outside.” Another commenter reported a “strong smell and cloudy air” near State Road 64 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, while a third said the odor was so strong they thought there was “a house fire nearby.”
Other agencies pointed to active wildfires in eastern Manatee County and farther east in Highlands County as additional sources of the smoke.
Residents report smoke conditions
National Weather Service meteorologist Rodney Wynn said two wildfires were burning in east-central Manatee County, including the Keen Branch South fire near Duette, which had burned about 234 acres. Florida Forest Service records showed the fire remained active Tuesday afternoon and was nearing full containment.
State wildfire records also show the Gilly Creek, Duette 64 East and Ranch Lake-Manatee fires have burned in eastern Manatee County in recent days.
A large wildfire in northern Highlands County also produced a smoke plume Monday that was visible on weather radar and likely contributed to the smoky conditions, according to Wynn.
“These east-northeast winds likely blew smoke from those fires in east-central Manatee County and Highlands County into the Bradenton area,” Wynn said. “That is likely what residents were smelling.”
Florida wildfires affecting Bradenton area
Florida Forest Service Public Information Officer Patrick Mahoney also said a significant amount of the smoke affecting Manatee County was coming from wildfires in east Manatee County and the Avon Park area in Highlands County.
“With the wind direction shifting, it will impact Manatee County until they are completely out,” Mahoney said.
East Manatee Fire Rescue firefighters detected the odor of smoke east of Bourneside Boulevard before determining it was originating from brush fires in other areas, Division Chief Stephen Beecher said.
Beecher said East Manatee firefighters have also responded to several local brush fires in recent days, though those fires were quickly contained and extinguished.
“Under certain weather and wind conditions, smoke from brush fires can travel significant distances, causing noticeable smoke odors well beyond the fire’s location,” Beecher said.
County officials said forecasts call for a return to more typical westerly winds on Friday, which should provide some relief from the smoky conditions. Constantini said county staff continues to monitor conditions and coordinate with partner agencies.
