CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Two wildfires burning in North Florida merged Saturday into a single blaze now known as the Railroad Fire, prompting evacuations, road closures and railway suspensions across Clay and Putnam counties.
The fire, which combines the former Crews Road Fire in Clay County and the Railroad Complex Fire in Putnam County, has burned approximately 3,000 acres with containment at just 10%, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Resources on the ground and in the sky
Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said the Florida National Guard Aviation unit will be involved in the fire fight beginning Tuesday.
Meanwhile the Florida Forest Service has deployed a significant number of resources to fight the blaze. Earlier, the agency had 63 personnel, 36 dozers, 10 engines and two fixed-wing aircraft on scene.
Federal resources also responded, including three VLATs — Very Large Air Tankers — scoopers, a helicopter and air attack support. Officials note those numbers are fluid as conditions on the fire continue to change rapidly.
Clay County Fire Rescue and Putnam County Fire Rescue also have multiple resources on scene, coordinating structure protection and assisting the Florida Forest Service with wildfire suppression.
Erratic fire behavior prompts closures, evacuations
The fire has been exhibiting erratic behavior, including spotting on the west side of U.S. Highway 17 at Guthry Road.
As a result, voluntary evacuations were initiated north of Bostwick for residents along Guthry Road, Boogerville Road, Hunter Road and White Tail Trail. The Bostwick Community Center, located at 125 Tillman St. in Palatka, has been set up as a shelter for evacuees.
Around-the-clock response
“We are going to have extensive fire conditions throughout the woods for days and potentially weeks ahead until we get either substantial rainfall or we can work it and get it to darken down,” Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock said. “Given these dry conditions - the heat and the fire within the ground can actually come up for days or weeks beyond this event.”
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook says anyone who would like to donate food and drinks to working firefighters may do so Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Items like water, sports drinks and prepackaged snacks can be dropped off at the Clay County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall 2, 2463 FL-16 in Green Cove Springs.
Crews are working day and night shifts in an effort to contain the fire. Updated information is available through the Florida Forest Service’s Fire Response Public Viewer here.