BAKER COUNTY, Fla. – A wildfire that threatened homes and forced evacuations in Baker County is now mostly contained after burning more than 120 acres Wednesday afternoon.
The fire started around 1:17 p.m. when a semi-truck lost a tire on I-10 near mile marker 330, according to Baker County Fire Chief Trevor Nelson. Sparks from the truck’s rim ignited brush along the highway.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 100+ acre brush fire sparked in Baker County; residents who evacuated can return home by 7 p.m., officials say
“The dryness is very big part of what happened here today plus the wind that we had,” Nelson said. “We had it between an 18 and 20 mph wind when this fire started.”
The blaze grew to more than 120 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations along Noah Davis and Butcher roads. Residents were allowed to return home by Wednesday evening, with no reports of significant damage to any homes.
Multiple agencies responded to battle the flames, including:
• 40-50 firefighters from Baker County Fire Rescue, Macclenny Fire Department and Jacksonville Fire Rescue
• 13 tractor plows from Suwannee and Jacksonville divisions of the Florida Forest Service
• A helicopter carrying 275 gallons of water
• Additional aircraft for aerial monitoring
Twelve-year-old Sawyer Davis watched as smoke threatened his grandfather’s neighborhood.
“Just saw this black pillar of smoke spiraling through the sky. I was just like oh my gosh what’s burning and apparently it was the forest,” Davis said. “I said lord please don’t let anyone get hurt with this fire.”
Those prayers were answered as crews successfully protected homes and reported no injuries.
However, Fire Chief Nelson warns the danger isn’t over. Much of northeast Florida faces severe drought conditions, with a rainfall deficit of about 10 inches.
“Well first we got to pray for rain,” Nelson said. “That’s the biggest thing we need is going to help. We need that long sustaining rain that will soak in for several days.”
The Florida Highway Patrol said it continues to monitor the area. Drivers are urged to:
• Use low beam headlights in smoky conditions
• Watch for emergency vehicles and heavy equipment
• Be alert for remaining hot spots
• Pay attention to smoke warning signs
At the time crews responded to the Baker County fire, the Florida Forest Service said it was already working about half a dozen other fires in the Jacksonville area.
Fire officials will continue monitoring the area overnight.