PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – Both directions of State Road 20 in Putnam County were closed early Wednesday due to “extremely heavy smoke in the area,” prompting Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Elementary and Interlachen Jr.–Sr. High School to close for the day, according to the sheriff’s office.
PCSO said the heavy smoke in the area of SR-20 and Keuka Road reduced visibility to “essentially zero,” which is why the Florida Highway Patrol shut down the road.
WATCH: Video from PCSO of “zero visibility” on SR 20
As of 11:12 a.m. Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office posted that roads had been reopened after the smoke cleared, but urged drivers to pay attention, particularly after the sun goes down, because conditions can shift rapidly.
They warned that the early morning hours on Thrusday could see a similar scenario to Wednesday morning, depending on weather conditions.
Deputies urged drivers to plan for extra time in the morning if they need to commute to or from West Putnam.
A News4JAX crew headed down to Putnam County on Wednesday morning had to stop briefly in Keystone Heights because of heavy smoke and the smell along State Road 21.
Social media messages from people who live in the area are asking for prayers, saying their community has been through a lot when it comes to these fires.
Schools closed
Officials said the road closures impacted some bus routes, which either did not run or were delayed.
“Please do not leave your child at a bus stop. All absences will be excused due to these conditions,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Putnam County Superintendent Rick Surrency said he and his staff started getting calls around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, and when they learned both SR 20 and Highway 15 were closed, they made the decision to close both Jenkins Elementary School and Interlachen Jr.-Sr. High School.
“We didn’t want anyone on the road. We did not want bus drivers. We did not want parents. I’d rather be safe than sorry, Surrency said in a phone interview on The Morning Show.
Q.I. Roberts Jr.–Sr. High School, Ochwilla Elementary and Melrose Elementary schools were parent drop-off only on Wednesday.
“Bus routes cannot run at this time on the west end of the county,” the sheriff’s office said.
🚧 Roadway Closed due to Smoke 🚧
— FHP Jacksonville (@FHPJacksonville) February 4, 2026
SR 20 is currently blocked in both directions due to low visibility caused by smoke. Several wildfires have caused this issue and are being actively handled by personnel. Please avoid area and seek an alternative route. pic.twitter.com/wlwMgqIUTL
Surrency said the decision to open or close the schools again on Thursday will have to be made on a day-by-day basis and encourages all parents to follow the district’s social media accounts and keep an eye out for updates from their schools.
“We will try to send out a message late this afternoon and tomorrow morning, depending on the conditions,” Surrency said. “The smoke is probably going to linger a while, so it’s going to have to be a day-to-day decision depending on the weather conditions and the wind and everything else, so we’re not going to make an announcement for multiple days. We’re just going to do it day by day.”
On Tuesday, News4JAX reported that over the last week, Putnam County had 12 wildfires amid worsening drought conditions in our area.
“We did see a rapid increase in wildfire occurrence throughout Florida, but definitely here in north central Florida over the weekend,” said Ludie Bond, Public Information Officer with the Florida Forest Service.