ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Forest Service is working to put out a large wildfire in St. Johns County.
The address provided by the Forest Service was along Oscar Ashton Road, which is in the area of the Watson Island State Forest. It was about 8 miles west of Interstate 95 and several miles east of the St. Johns River.
As of around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, the Forest Service said, the fire was estimated to have burned about 673 acres and was 95% contained. It had grown from about 100 acres when it was reported around 3:30 p.m. Monday.
WILDFIRE UPDATE! The #oscarashtonfire in St. Johns County is now 95% contained and updated acreage after thorough assessment is now 673 acres. Wildland Firefighters will continue to work on this fire for the next several days. Minimal smoke seen on the fire at this time. pic.twitter.com/DAd8tEs90r
— FFS Bunnell (@FFS_Bunnell) May 19, 2021
Just before 7 a.m. Tuesday, the Forest Service posted an update on Facebook, saying firefighters had taken advantage of the weather conditions overnight to work on mop-up operations, check for hotspots, improve established lines and conduct burnout operations.
No structures were said to be in danger and no evacuations are being conducted. It’s unclear what’s believed to have sparked the blaze.
“The weather is going to be on our side tonight because the relative humidity is up and the winds have died down a bit, and that plays a huge effort in suppression efforts,” Julie Alan, spokesperson for the Forest Service, said Monday night.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital to be evaluated as a precaution. The Forest Service said flames got close to his bulldozer.
Dozer plow units were on scene, and air support assets were being used.
GALLERY: Photos from St. Johns County wildfire