Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Wildfires Darken Skies near Walt Disney World

June 5, 2015, 3:50 PM · A brush fire near the Walt Disney World Resort darkened skies around the theme parks and resort hotels this afternoon.

The fire was reported to be between six and eight acres and burning off Disney property. Wildfires are not uncommon in Central Florida. Woodlands surround the Disney theme parks, and the entire region is the nation's lightning capital. Put those together, and no one should be surprised by an occasional fire.

Still, Orlando-area fires aren't like the huge wildfires out west in the United States, where thousands of acres of parched woodlands ignite from time to time. With its high humidity and flat terrain, Central Florida's fires tend to be easier to contain and fight, making them more an occasional nuisance than a potentially vacation-ruining threat.

No matter where you are, smoke can create a health hazard. If you are immediately downwind from a fire when in Central Florida, either get indoors or move elsewhere to get away from the smoke. Don't fall into the trap of sticking with your tour plan so stubbornly that you can't react to situations such as this.

Replies (3)

Rock-Blazer12
James Trexen
June 5, 2015 at 8:02 PM · SeaWorld Strikes Back?
anonymous
66.87.123.207
June 6, 2015 at 7:39 AM · Pretty lucky that the fire wasn't actually on Disney property.
anonymous
66.249.88.132
June 7, 2015 at 2:49 AM · If the fire had been on Disney property, it would have come under the jurisdiction of The Reedy Creek Fire Fepartment, and probably put out even faster.

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