Fires Contained, precautionary measures underway Published May 31, 2012 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.-- -- Fires burning to the north of Hurlburt Field are confined to the Eglin Range and are no longer a threat to the installation and Commando Village. No structures are threatened at this time and the need to evacuate is not anticipated. The Gator Lakes Golf Course remains closed due to the staging of fire-fighting equipment and ongoing helicopter operations, and is scheduled to reopen Saturday, June 2. The Hurlburt Field Fire Department and Jackson Guard's Fire Management section, in conjunction with the Florida State Forest Service, will monitor and engage the fire throughout the duration. If necessary, more than a dozen local fire departments and state and federal agencies stand ready to assist. Winds are expected out of the southwest for the foreseeable future, but some area residents may experience smoke until this area receives significant rainfall. As part of standard fire fighting protocol to limit future wildfire danger, closely monitored controlled burns will continue on Eglin Range, north of the base, until the end of the week. Smoke will continue to be present in this area and may become heavy at times. The smoke and other residual side effects stemming from the fires combined to degrade air quality. The Florida Department of Health has issued an advisory recommending steps people in the area need to take until the air quality improves. Personnel are advised to take the appropriate measures to conduct operations in a safe and risk adverse manner. For more information regarding the fire, contact Mike Spaits, Eglin Air Force Base environmental spokesman, at (850)-882-2836. Additional information regarding delayed services will be posted on the official Hurlburt Field Facebook page and website as it becomes available.