A fast-moving wildfire, designated as the Lochloosa West Fire, has broken out today, May 4, 2026, in southeast Alachua County, Florida. The blaze is currently threatening structures and has forced significant road closures and evacuations in the area near Gainesville.
Current Status & Evacuations
Location: The fire is burning in the vicinity of Lochloosa Lake and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area, specifically affecting the communities between Hawthorne and Micanopy.
Mandatory Evacuations: The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents living along County Road 325, extending from the Cross Creek area northward toward Island Grove.
Shelter Information: An emergency shelter has been established at the Hawthorne Middle/High School for displaced residents and their pets.
Road Closures
County Road 325: This road is currently closed in both directions from Highway 301 to the Cross Creek bridge.
Visibility Warnings: Smoke is heavily impacting visibility on US Highway 301 and State Road 20. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution or seek alternate routes through Gainesville or Ocala.
Firefighting Efforts
Personnel: The Florida Forest Service (Waccasassa Forestry Center) and Alachua County Fire Rescue are on-scene.
Containment: As of the latest update, the fire is estimated at 350 acres with 0% containment. High winds and low humidity are currently hindering efforts to establish a perimeter.
Tactics: Tractor-plow units are working to create fire lines while “Bambi Buckets” (helicopter water drops) are being utilized to protect homes near the lakefront.
Cause and Weather
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, though officials note that the region is under a Red Flag Warning today due to critical fire weather conditions.
For the most current “Ready, Set, Go” alerts, residents should monitor the Alachua County Emergency Management social media pages or the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office live updates.
