By JOE SEELIG

AVON PARK — After nearly four days of firefighting, the Big Pine fire in southern Polk County has been contained, according to Florida Division of Forestry Public Information Officer Chris Kintner.

About 150 acres on Avon Park Bombing Range property were burned, Kintner said. The fire still had about six miles to go before it reached the Highlands County border, Kintner said. Part of the bombing range is located in Polk.
The fire started Sunday afternoon in Polk County’s River Ranch area. River Ranch is filled with small hunting camps, shacks and cabins, 310 of which were destroyed. 

An estimated 3,250 acres burned in all, said Kintner, quoting new ground positioning satellite measurements.
Bombing range personnel suppressed the fire in the bombing range, she said.
“They have a big fence there. We couldn’t get in there if we wanted to.”

After three days of firefighting a Division of Forestry task force was brought late Wednesday from northern Florida to help relieve Polk County personnel, Kintner said, including eight additional pieces of firefighting equipment and about 17 more firefighters.
The fire never reached the Blue Jordan marsh area, so a muck fire may have been averted.
No firefighters or civilians have been injured, she said.

There are no significant chances of rain in sight to put this fire out.
“The best we can hope for is the humidity goes up and the winds stay calm,” Kintner said.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” she joked.

While the dry season continues she encouraged people to use caution and good sense when camping and using open fires. Contrary to at least one media report, she said Wednesday that burn permits have not been canceled.