Florida Forest Service says high wind, lack of hurricanes created climate for fast-moving Putnam County fires

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Forest Service said the extreme drought, high wind and lack of hurricanes this tropical season created a climate for the fast-moving Putnam County fires over the last week.

Putnam County residents woke up to smoke in the air due to the Pace Court fire from Saturday, which caused evacuations in Interlachen.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said these smoky conditions will continue for the next several days as the fire is only 75 percent contained and it has burned hundreds of acres.

Ludie Bond of the Florida Forest Service said that there were at least a dozen brush fires in the county over the last week.

Officials said the brush fire started as an escaped pile burn, which quickly grew due to the heavy wind.

Bond said there was no lightning and the lack of hurricanes this season made it easy for the wildfire to spread. She also said the extreme drought is a factor as well.

As of Monday, the county has enforced a burn ban.