Bryceville fire now 95% contained

2 homes destroyed, 8 damaged by 700-acre Nassau County wildfire

BRYCEVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Forest Service is still monitoring what's left of the 700-acre fire that forced 150 residents from their homes in western Nassau County.

As of Monday morning, the fire was 95 percent contained, forestry officials said. Crews had hoped to have it fully contained by the end of the weekend. It was a minor setback for a community full of gratitude.

"The job, you cannot express the gratitude for the unbelievable job they did," resident Gary Jaques said. "It could have been so much worse for everyone."

Forestry officials were concerned about a 20-acre patch of unburned fuel inside the fire line west of County Road 121 and Cortez Road, and urged residents who returned to the area to call 911 if they see any flare-ups.

Crews will be working until the blaze is completely out, forestry officials said.

There is still a lot of smoke in the area of County Road 119, and residents still need to keep their guards up, officials said.

The evacuation order that forced residents from their homes overnight was lifted Thursday afternoon as state and local crews continued to battle the wildfire, which destroyed two homes, damaged eight others and burned 19 barns, sheds or other structures.

Neighbors told fire officials Friday morning that they saw glowing embers overnight. 

"The last thing we want is unburned pine needles to catch fire and start another fire," said firefighter Noah Wyatt.

Nassau County, Florida Forest Service and Florida Highway Patrol officials said County Road 121 and County Road 119 have reopened. 

UNCUT: 11 a.m. Friday Forest Service, Nassau County briefing
WATCH: Sky 4 surveys nearly 700 acres burned | Aerial footage

On Friday, News4Jax visited the site on Willis Road where a fire started by a man burning boxes of books blew out of control. Officials said he will be cited with illegal burning of household waste and will be sent a bill for the cost of fighting the fire.

Florida Forest Service employees continued cutting a 40- to 50-foot perimeter around the area that burned, putting out hot spots and wetting down the area around all remaining structures.

"It’s tough work. Not the fun part. It’s dirty and nasty," said Victor Tayler of the Florida Forest Service. "This is one of the most important parts of fighting this fire."

Forestry officials said Friday night that crews were still going into the burned areas where there's still a lot of smoldering around the trees and plenty of heat, which burns the root systems and causes the trees to fall -- posing dangers to workers and residents.

Firefighters have been adding water to the dirt, creating a mud-like substance, as they dig around the trees, "mopping up" anything smoldering. 

PHOTOS: Wildfire burns in Nassau County

Tayler said it could take them weeks to completely put the fire out. 

"We are working to get a strike team of engines in here. That will increase our ability to put water in here. It could take weeks. If we get some help from the weather, that would get it out quicker, so it really depends on how hot it actually is," Tayler said. "The issue is over on the west side of (C.R.) 121 -- which is where we are here – we got a lot of homes here, so we are really concerned and focusing on this side."

If the winds and humidity continue to pick up, officials said that could bring more trouble. If not, they could finish in a few weeks.

A hotline set up for Nassau County residents to get information on shelters and other needs remains open. The number to call is 904-548-0900.

Most of the calls coming in are from people who want to help the fire victims. People who want to donate money, clothing, food or other resources to can call Barnabas of Nassau County at 904-261-7000 or Bryceville First Baptist Church at 904-266-4169.

Family finds treasures among rubble

One of the two families who lost their homes in the Bryceville wildfire on Friday continued to sift through the debris, trying to find anything of sentimental value.

Fortunately, they found a few items close to their hearts. 

"This rock, it had our favorite team on it -- Roll Tide Roll," explained 17-year-old Dalton Megois. "That was a doorstop -- the frog -- a couple of knives, my mom's candle burners, a couple of Christmas decorations and a pot."

The items may be useless, but to the West Nassau High student, it's all that's left of what was his home, which was destroyed by the flames Wednesday.

Just a month ago, Dalton Megois had an accident in which he lost some of his fingers. He told News4Jax that the fire was the last thing his family needed. He recounted the moment when his mother burst through the door of his room, saying a fire was 3 miles away. 

"Then a half an hour after that, I look outside, looked out the window, and it was probably half a mile away. And my mom was, like, 'Do you think we should get sentimentals?' And I said, 'Get some, get documents, jewelry, silver, anything you can get,'" Dalton Megois said. 

Within moments, firefighters were outside the home, telling them they only had two minutes to evacuate. 

"I started to grab stuff to put in the back of the truck, but when I did, I noticed that the truck had a flat. By then, I noticed the house began to catch on fire and I ran back in and got the dogs and we got out," he said.

The teen's father, Paul Megois, was three hours away when the fire broke out. He said he is beyond thankful that his family got out safe.

Now, even though the home is rubble, Paul Megois said that it brings him joy to know that one of the items he valued most miraculously survived the fire.

"We had some concrete cast of my younger son, and my older son's hand prints from 12 years ago, and a concrete cast heart of my wife and I's initials -- we just found from a little while ago and that means a lot to me," Paul Megois said. 

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with Dalton Megois' medical expenses. 

Bryceville couple thankful home is still standing

While two homes were destroyed and eight others were damaged, most residents returned to find their homes intact.

Randy Hoke and his wife are grateful their home is still standing, since fire was already in the backyard when they evacuated on Wednesday afternoon. While the home was heavily damaged, Hoke's brother-in-law's house next door burned to the ground.

WATCH: Bryceville man thankful house is still standing

“When we pulled out Wednesday at a quarter to six, it was already in flames," Hoke said.

Hoke knows possessions can be replaced, and he and his wife are grateful.

"You realize we did not lose everything and you praise the Lord for that. We have something standing. But we have no water, no sewer system, damage to the back wall that has to be renovated," Hoke said.


About the Authors:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.