Smoke, loud 'booms' reported in Sanford believed to be Naval bomb exercises, controlled burns
LAKE MARY, Fla. - Residents in Seminole County reported hearing "booms" in the Sanford area on Thursday. The noises, coupled with heavy smoke over Lake Monroe, prompted a number of 911 calls.
Authorities first reported that the booms were likely from bridge construction along Interstate 4 near the St. Johns River. After receiving additional calls, it was confirmed by the Jacksonville Naval Air Station that training exercises involving live and inert bombing was taking place at the Pinecastle Range Complex located in the Ocala National Forest.
Bombing practices are expected to continue on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The smoke reported by residents was the result of a nearby controlled burn and unrelated.
The Seminole County Natural Lands Program in cooperation with the Seminole County Fire Department is also conducting a 5-acre prescribed burn at Chuluota Wilderness Area in Chuluota. Residents east of Sanford may notice heavy smoke over the next 24 hours.