Large wildfires near Clay-Putnam County line burning miles apart, voluntary evacuations underway
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – State and local fire crews are battling two fast-spreading wildfires just a few miles apart from each other near the Clay-Putnam County line, threatening structures and prompting voluntary evacuations.
The Florida Forest Service says crews responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday to a fire in Clay County, south of Green Cove Springs, which has burned 1,700-1,800 acres and is 0% contained as of Sunday evening.
Clay County officials say sparks from a train likely started the fire near County Road 209 and Maranda Drive.
Voluntary evacuations are underway for residents in living off Varney Rd. and Woodward Ln. in Green Cove Springs. The evacuation center is Shiloh Baptist Church, located at 1055 CR 226, according to county officials.
Crews from Jacksonville, St. Johns and Putnam assisted in the fire. Flight crews from Chattanooga completed four drops to protect structures in the area.
There are no reports of any structures damaged yet, but officials say they are threatened.
Clay County Fire Chief Lorin Mock says unfavorable weather conditions will likely make the response to this fire a multi-day event.
“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 said.
A second fire just a few miles south in Putnam County is burning north of Bostwick, east of U.S. 17. That fire has burned 700 acres and is 5% contained as of Sunday evening.
FFS says buildings are threatened in the area of Eagle Creek and West Tocoi, but the agency did not give a specific number.
Florida Forest Service PIO Robert Chase said now is the time to make sure you are prepared for an emergency.
“You really need to ask yourself ‘Are you wildfire ready?’” he said. “Be mindful.”
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