Evacuations no longer needed near fire in nature preserve

Officials say voluntary evacuations are no longer needed in subdivisions near a wildfire burning in a Tampa Bay-area nature preserve.

Pasco County Government spokesman Doug Tobin said Sunday that the cause of the fire in Starkey Wilderness Park has not been determined.

The preserve remained closed Sunday, but the sheriff’s office and Florida Highway Patrol planned to reopen a nearby stretch of the Suncoast Parkway.

Tobin said residents who evacuated from subdivisions east of the preserve near Land O’ Lakes and Lutz could return home, though smoke could remain in the area.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.