Florida under dense smoke advisory amid wildfires

[May 19, 2008]  MIAMI (AP) -- Parts of southern Florida were under a dense smoke advisory on Sunday as firefighters worked to control several wildfires that have burned about 62 square miles.

The majority of fires burned around Lake Okeechobee in Glades County and on the coast in Brevard County, where a smoky haze was expected to linger throughout the day.

In the area around Lake Okeechobee, the Florida Highway Patrol used electronic highway signs to warn people about lingering smoke, and areas northeast of the lake were continuing to experience haze from the fires, said Division of Forestry spokeswoman Melissa Yunas.

In Brevard County, fires were 75 percent contained, said State Division of Forestry spokesman Todd Schroeder.

[Associated Press]

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