Controlled burn sends smoky smell through downtown St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG — The scent of heavy smoke permeated the downtown St. Petersburg area Wednesday afternoon as firefighters conducted a controlled burn in Boyd Hill Nature Park.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue started the burn about noon and it continued throughout the afternoon, sending smoke over Lake Maggiore and throughout St. Petersburg.

The burn was expected to be finished Wednesday evening.

The Preserve's trails were closed to the public Wednesday for the burn.

Fire and forestry officials periodically conduct prescribed burns in areas with buildup of dead vegetation in order to reduce the risk of wildfires.