WEATHER ALERT
Nassau County wildfire slows, holds at 1,600 acres, 50% containment; All roads reopen in area
Read full article: Nassau County wildfire slows, holds at 1,600 acres, 50% containment; All roads reopen in areaNassau County fire crews and law enforcement continued working to put out a massive wildfire in a rural area west of Bryceville on Friday.
Nassau County brush fire extends over 500 acres, 20% contained
Read full article: Nassau County brush fire extends over 500 acres, 20% containedNassau County fire crews and law enforcement are working to put out a brush fire in Bryceville, near the St. Marys River that has quickly grown to about 125 acres.
Wildfire in St. Johns County contained
Read full article: Wildfire in St. Johns County containedST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. A wildfire that broke out Sunday afternoon near Interstate 95 and County Road 214 is now under control, according to the Florida Forest Service. At last check, firefighters were working on improving containment lines. Crews said traffic was following normally, but added there may still be smoke in the area. The cause of the fire was not immediately unknown.
State forests going to cash-free system
Read full article: State forests going to cash-free systemTALLAHASSEE, Fla. State forests are going to a cash-free system as a precaution against the coronavirus. The Florida Forest Service announced Monday that an online, cash-free system has been set up as recreation areas reopen. Cash will no longer be accepted for Florida State Forest recreation sales, a news release from the forest service said. Day-use passes for recreation areas, including trailheads and off-highway vehicle riding areas, will be available for purchase July 1. Group campsites, picnic pavilions and group recreation areas will reopen with a capacity limit of 50 people on July 10.
Recent wildfires spark interest in fire safety and resources
Read full article: Recent wildfires spark interest in fire safety and resourcesWhen determining fire risk, there are multiple variables that come together, including precipitation, relative humidity and wind and drought conditions. The Fire Danger Index map is a quick way for Florida residents to check the risk in their county. The first thing that weve got to look at is how many days since significant rainfall, so what is significant rainfall to us? Chase says that the Fire Danger Index is a quick reference guide to determine if you should burn or not. Burn bans across the state of Florida from the Florida Forest Service (Florida Forest Service)Both human elements and lightning are the main contributors to wildfires in the state of Florida.
Crews battling 50-acre wildfire in Nassau County
Read full article: Crews battling 50-acre wildfire in Nassau CountyThe fire, named West Power Line Fire," started just west of Highway 301 and Big Oaks Road in Nassau County. The FFS said it has four tractor plow units working to contain the fire and its containment, as of 6:45 p.m. was at 80%. Crews have successfully placed a firebreak line around the fire, FFS said, and no structures are being threatened. In an update Saturday evening FFS said they were no longer worried about the fire due to the rain and the effective line. Crews are no longer actively working the scene, but if you are in the area, FFS asks to please exercise caution.
Dry conditions, fireworks a dangerous combination during Memorial Day weekend, JFRD warns
Read full article: Dry conditions, fireworks a dangerous combination during Memorial Day weekend, JFRD warnsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. After the first brush fire of the season on Thursday, first responders are reminding residents of Duval Countys burn ban going into Memorial Day weekend. Fire Rescue was there through the night to make sure there were no flare-ups and no homes were in danger. Going into Memorial Day weekend, firefighters have a message:It can happen anywhere. Jacksonvilles Memorial Day weekend forecast looks hot and mostly dry, according to News4Jax meteorologist Rebecca Barry. Duval County has a burn ban year-round, and firefighters asked residents to not do any outdoor burning, especially with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend when people are known to shoot off fireworks.
Smoke could linger after brush fire near San Pablo homes
Read full article: Smoke could linger after brush fire near San Pablo homesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. A fire in a wooded area just off San Pablo Road on Thursday afternoon came within 100 feet of homes before firefighters, two of whom were treated for heat exhaustion, could beat it back. The Florida Forest Service had two tractors cutting fire breaks and a spotter plane in the air. No homes were burned, but News4Jax heard from residents from the Pablo Bay neighborhood, on the west side of San Pablo Road and north of J. Turner Butler Boulevard, who were evacuated. Little did she know, her mother, Kelly Pogue, was battling traffic and thick smoke as she tried to get home. San Pablo Road reopened by early Thursday evening, though firefighters said smoke could linger and be a problem into Friday or even into the weekend, not only for the immediate area, but possibly even J. Turner Butler and Beach boulevards.
Jacksonville firefighter battling Panhandle fire: Seeing homes destroyed ‘hits you in the gut’
Read full article: Jacksonville firefighter battling Panhandle fire: Seeing homes destroyed ‘hits you in the gut’JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Firefighters are battling a pair of wildfires in the Panhandle that have consumed more than 2,500 acres, closed a portion of Interstate 10 and destroyed structures. JFRD Battalion Chief Trace Barrow told News4Jax on Thursday the firefighters haven’t slept since they got the call at 10 p.m. Wednesday that they would be traveling to the Panhandle. On Thursday, JFRD said, firefighters worked to put out structure fires near Milton, Florida, where the Five Mile Swamp Fire raged. “I know that just the area that we that our crews have worked, at least 10 to 12 residential houses were destroyed, completely destroyed," Barrow said. For Barrow, the hardest part is seeing families return to their now unrecognizable homes.
Drones could help fight invasive species, wildfires
Read full article: Drones could help fight invasive species, wildfiresTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Drones could be deployed in state efforts to manage invasive species and address wildfire threats, under a proposal unanimously approved Wednesday by the House. “Currently, in the state of Florida we are facing an epidemic of invasive species destroying our local ecosystems, including the Everglades,” said bill sponsor Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville. Law enforcement is also prohibited, with certain exceptions, from using drones to gather evidence or other information. Fischer’s proposal would allow the Florida Forest Service to use drones to mitigate the threat of wildfires on public lands. “Drones may be a more cost-effective way and more efficient way than current practices,” Fischer said.
Are we heading for a fall drought?
Read full article: Are we heading for a fall drought?If the drier than normal conditions persist we could be facing a drought and an enhanced wildfire danger in the spring. So far we have only gotten 1.44" of rain, meaning we are .86" of rain behind average. Alma, Georgia is 1.04" below normal and they have only seen a mer .06" of rain this month. The Florida Forest Service is urging the public to avoid yard debris burning due to the elevated fire threat and to use extreme caution when using fire outdoors, including campfires and grills. Since January, the Florida Forest Service has battled 1,475 wildfires that have burned 89,105 acres.
Florida Everglades wildfire almost doubles in size in a day
Read full article: Florida Everglades wildfire almost doubles in size in a dayWPLG-TV imageFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Florida Forest Service on Tuesday tweeted that a wildfire in the Everglades had grown to 31,500 acres -- nearly the double the size it was on Monday -- and the blaze is only about a third contained. The wildfire is located about eight miles west of the city of Weston. Florida Forest Service officials confirmed lightning started the wildfire Sunday night just north of a busy stretch of Interstate 75 known as Alligator Alley and a few miles west of a state highway. No buildings were in immediate danger. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
What we know so far about Yellow Bluff Fire
Read full article: What we know so far about Yellow Bluff FireThe Forest Service first reported about 3 p.m. Wednesday that firefighters were working two wildfires off U.S. 17 and Yellow Bluff Road. The south fire was 40% contained by the Forest Service at that time, but it burned into the marsh. The Florida Department of Agriculture is assisting the Forest Service with the investigation into the cause. On the ground and in the air, crews are working around the clock to contain the Yellow Bluff Fire. Winter told News4Jax late Thursday afternoon that three spots of the Yellow Bluff Fire jumped over I-95 at some point.