Wildfires near Clay-Putnam County line merge into 3K-acre blaze amid dry, windy conditions, officials say

Two fast-moving brush fires burning near the Clay–Putnam County line have grown into a single giant fireplace burning greater than 3,000 acres, threatening constructions and forcing voluntary evacuations.

On Monday, the 2 wildfires merged into what’s being now known because the Railroad Fire. Total acreage is 3,000 acres and containment is at 10%, in response to the Florida Forest Service.

The public can verify for updates here.

Multiple floor and air assets proceed to battle this hearth that has resulted in evacuations, street closures, and railway exercise suspensions.

WATCH: Full interview with Bond on The Morning Show

Just after 4 pm Monday, Clay County Fire Rescue introduced that the Sheriff’s Office was shutting down US 17 on the Clay-Putnam County line due to visibility considerations.

“Motorists will be turned around and asked to seek alternate routes into and out of Putnam County,” CCFR wrote in a Facebook post.

As of seven pm, US 17 was again open.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the wildfire near US 17 and County Road 214 may have an effect on journey in that space and alongside Palmetto Bluff Road all through the day, night time and into Tuesday morning.

Drivers are urged to make use of warning, scale back velocity and use solely low beam headlights as a result of visibility may deteriorate rapidly.

Clay County has opened a name heart for anybody with questions associated to the Crews Road Fire. Call 877-252-9362. Please proceed to make use of 911 for any emergencies.

Amtrak delays

Clay County officials say sparks from a practice probably began the hearth near County Road 209 and Maranda Drive.

“Amtrak has suspended all of their activity along the railroad track until these fires are brought under control,” Bond stated in an interview on The Morning Show.

Amtrak’s alert feed on X.com reveals that vital fireplace division exercise north of Palatka has quickly halted all rail providers as a result of native municipal officials have closed the tracks to battle a significant fireplace forward on the route.

“We sincerely apologize for this delay and appreciate your patience and understanding as this action is being taken for the safety of everyone involved,” Amtrak wrote.

Merging fires

Officials say no houses have been broken, however dry, windy circumstances are making this a tough battle.

Bond stated the a part of the hazard is that the fires aren’t solely taking place in closely wooded, distant areas, however are additionally in individuals’s backyards.

Most of Northeast Florida is under a red flag warning as sturdy winds, heat temperatures and dry circumstances enhance the possibility of fires.

“The winds are certainly an issue today. Gusts could be up to 30 mph,” Bond stated.

She stated to count on a continued menace to constructions over the following 24 to 48 hours due to the sturdy winds.

Monday’s suppression gear consists of 11 medium firefighting tractor-plow models, one heavy tractor-plow unit and two air tankers.

“People should not let their guard down,” Bond stated. “Now is the time to prepare in case you get the notice to evacuate.”

Bond urged households to have a plan on the place to go and learn how to care for their pets.

“You don’t want to wait until you get that phone call or knock on the door to start getting things ready to evacuate,” she stated. “You need to be ready now.”

Don’t spark a brand new fireplace

Bond stated will probably be tough for firefighters to maintain the fires within the containment strains, and she or he expects to see progress on the fires due to the windy circumstances.

“And then any new starts that happen today have the potential to spread extremely rapidly,” Bond stated. “There are so many different types of outdoor activities that are starting fires right now.”

Bond stated cooking outdoor with charcoal may throw a spark.

“We actually had a fire being started by a pig roast,” she stated. “There are things that people are doing with their outdoor activities that they may not realize could actually throw a spark and start a fire.”

She additionally warned that mowing might be harmful if the lawnmower strikes a rock and sparks a fireplace, dragging chains from trailer hitches may spark grass alongside the street and parking on dry grass must be prevented.

“With conditions so dry and extreme and the fire behavior that we’re seeing, people need to use extreme caution,” Bond stated. “We are seeing extremely unusual but very erratic fire behavior right now.”

Clay County is beneath a burn ban, and officials reminded residents to additionally keep away from burning any particles or disposing of cigarettes on the bottom.

Clay officials stated residents are requested to not fly private drones in restricted air areas.

“We will have to pull air resources if drones are spotted, and this will affect emergency operations,” Chase stated.

Evacuations

The Florida Forest Service says crews responded shortly after 5:30 pm Sunday to the hearth in Clay County, south of Green Cove Springs.

Clay officials urged neighborhood members in Keystone Heights and surrounding areas in Alachua and Putnam counties to remain indoors.

Florida Forest Service PIO Robert Chase stated now could be the time to ensure you are ready for an emergency.

“You really need to ask yourself, ‘Are you wildfire ready?’” he stated. “Be mindful.”

Voluntary evacuations are underway for residents residing off Varney Road and Woodward Lane in Green Cove Springs. The evacuation heart is Shiloh Baptist Church at 1055 CR 226, in response to county officials.

Morris Smith, who lives near one of many fires, stated animals are a giant problem for somebody who would possibly must evacuate.

“Would I leave? That’s a big question to ask because I’m an animal lover and I’ve got animals. So I wouldn’t want to leave my animals behind,” Smith stated. “I’ve got a cow. My mom and I.”

The Jacksonville Equestrian Center has supplied to soak up animals needing to evacuate due to the fires for $25 an evening to cowl the price of stripping the stalls and two luggage of shavings.

“We will work with you anyway we can as we understand this is an emergency situation,” the middle posted.

The Rodeheaver Boys Ranch can be providing a protected place for horses of their paddocks, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. For extra info, contact Barn Manager Crystal at 386-336-3435.

Crews from Jacksonville, St. Johns and Putnam assisted in combating the hearth. Flight crews from Chattanooga accomplished 4 drops of flame retardant to guard constructions within the space.

The burning acreage is a mixture of wooded land and lately clear-cut land that has large quantities of underbrush, which might feed fires.

There aren’t any experiences of any constructions broken but, however officials say they’re threatened, together with buildings within the space of ​​Eagle Creek and West Tocoi.

Clay County Fire Chief Lorin Mock says unfavorable climate circumstances will probably make the response to this hearth a multi-day occasion.

“With the really low humidity that is forecast for the next couple of days, we are going to have a hard time working it and getting control,” Mock stated.