Officials suspect arson in 35-acre wildfire

Wildfire burning off of Stratton Road across from Palencia

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Arson may be to blame for a 35-acre fire that is burning its way across St. Johns County Thursday night.

Officials found out about the fire around 1:30 p.m. As of Thursday night, the fire is about 75 percent contained, with wind direction and cooler temperatures helping in the fight.

"There's no structures that have been endangered and with the weather that we've had, the wind direction coming out of the northeast has added some moisture and the lower temps have helped make it not as (a) hazardous fire as we could have had," Greg Dunn, with the Florida Forest Service, said.

Officials said on Friday they will bring in heavier bulldozers that can push over larger trees and debris and deal with a swampy area they weren't able to deal with Thursday, which should close up the fire line circle, making the fire 100 percent contained.

The fire line is the result of firefighters clearing a ring around the fire itself and then clearing out any fuel the fire might need, like pine cones, trees and branches, anything that would help the fire to spread.

The fire is located about a mile off of International Golf Parkway in a swamp conservation area. 



Dunn said this is the time of year for wildfires. Thunderstorms bring lightning, and lightning oftentimes can spark flames.

The Florida Highway Patrol is looking into the cause of the fire and thinks it may have been arson. Dunn said they won't know the definite cause until after it's out and they can investigate.

"We can stop the fire and it will still smoke and smolder within the containment lines until it either burns out or rains and gets enough moisture to put it out," Dunn said.

Troopers are warning drivers to use caution when driving in the area because of smoke and fog-like conditions.

Officials said they will not say the fire is completely out until there is no more smoke for at least two days.