Smoke from the Wildfires

[Indianawdwfan]

My brother and sister in law just went to Florida this weekend and they ran into some smoke from around Valdosta and on into Florida. They said they could not see much more than about 1000 ft in front of them. Can anyone else give us a report, we are leaving Thursday and this is a major concern for us. Thanks

 

[rae662000]

Hi I live in a surburb south of Atlanta and yesterday morning until early afternoon the smoke could be smelled and seen outside. It just lingered over the air, so I can just imagine how bad the visibility and the air quality is at the FLA/GA border. We have had about 3-4 days of smoke from the wildfires in the last couple of weeks it just depends on how the wind is blowing. But they are not predicting any rain any time soon so it if you leave soon please bare this in mind, that you will most likely have to deal with it.

 

[afcgirl]

We are going to be going at the end of June and at this point we are planning to take I-65 all the way down through Alabama and bypass Georgia due to the smoky conditions. You then catch up with I-75 in the Lake City, Fl area. Hopefully, it will not be as smoky there as it is in Valdosta.

I have heard that it is worst in Valdosta area. Is this what your brother said?

Also, the winds may shift the smoke to the east of the fires when you go.

 

[Indianawdwfan]

Yes he said the Valdsota area was were it started getting really bad. And too they were going thru there in the early morning so I dont know if fog was also a factor.They drove I 75 pretty much all the way down. He said there was not much traffic so that was good.This is also the way we are taking from Indiana. My concern is that we will be pulling an enclosed trailer(for the golf cart) and I worry about having to stop faster. I hope we will be able to see the cars in front of us at least. I just wish there was a way I could keep posted on this. I tried the GA Dot but that didnt give me much to go on. I hope we get rain to help with this situation!!!

 

[DC7800]

As of yesterday, May 28th, the heaviest smoke was between Lake City and the Florida state line.

The smell was noticable outdoors in Lake City, but the smoke was fairly light. Near the Florida Welcome Center (southbound) it was very heavy, but thinned considerably by Valdosta just 20 or so miles farther north. Last week, we encountered the smoke somewhere south of Adel (Georgia); it steadily increased until the worst portion south of the Florida line.

 

[afcgirl]

^^^ Thanks for the info DC7800, that is helpful. I think you are confirming that we may be better off taking the Alabama route from Illinois so that we bypass the southern Georgia/northern Florida area. We will then catch up with I-75 at Lake City and drive south.

If anyone disagrees with my theory, please let me know. I know there has been some smoke even in Alabama and Tallahassee Florida but I figure it is better than near Valdosta. Thanks!

 

[rae662000]

Hi, just wanted to add that if you are leaving soon, this link to the weather service will give you updated info about the smoke from the fire...I hope it helps someone.

http://www.weather.gov/alerts/ga.html