Fire burns 35 acres along Hodges Boulevard, near JTB

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Crews returned Sunday afternoon when a brush fire that has burned 35 acres of woods near the intersection of J. Turner Butler Boulevard and Hodges boulevards jumped a containment line.

A Florida Forestry Service spokeswoman said Sunday morning that the fire was 50 percent contained and that no homes or other structures were threatened.

That had increased to 95 percent by afternoon, but about 4:30 p.m., Jacksonville Fire-Rescue  units were called back as a piece of the fire breached a fire line on the west side of the area. Forestry also sent two tractors to cut new fire lines.

JFRD said the fire was most likely started Saturday by a lighting strike.

The Florida Highway Patrol warned motorists that smoke from the fire could limit visibility on Butler Boulevard, especially in the early morning and evening. Troopers urge motorists to use headlights when driving in the area.