Wildfire Burns Near Homes Near Weirsdale and Ocklawaha

A wildfire smolders near structures on SE Malauka Loop where a 126 acre fire raced through the dry conditions north and east of Weirsdale, Fla. on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Residents in the area were briefly evacuated, but were allowed to go back home after the fire was 90 percent contained. The fast moving wildfire came just one day after a voluntary burn ban went into effect in Marion County. Some Weirsdale and Ocklawaha residents had to evacuate due to the wildfire. No structures were destroyed in the fire. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.