Wind shift to bring smoky haze toward Gulf Coast
MOORE HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Officials say counties to the west of Lake Okeechobee will see smoke from a wildfire that is burning at the lake.
About 4,000 acres of muck and grass are burning on the dry lake bed near Moore Haven, about 80 miles west of West Palm Beach. Fires also are burning on grassy islands in the lake.
Winds had been carrying the smoky haze east, prompting counties from Miami-Dade to Martin to issue health advisories. Officials said Wednesday the wind shift will start bringing smoke toward the Gulf Coast.
Authorities suspect arson. Two fires began late Thursday and have mostly merged, separated only in sections by a canal. Firefighters say the blaze is contained within Lake Okeechobee's dike.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
