NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – A brush fire that prompted temporary evacuations in a Nassau County neighborhood Saturday is now 98% contained, officials said, after firefighters and forestry crews spent hours working to stop the flames from spreading near homes in the Fernandina Beach area.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office earlier advised residents in the Keel Court area to evacuate as the brush fire burned close to a residential community.
Fire rescue units and forestry crews responded, and officials urged people to avoid the area and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
Some neighbors said the first signs were not hard to miss.
“We started seeing ashes and we started smelling smoke,” said David Scuelke, a nearby resident, who told News4JAX he initially thought someone might be burning leaves.
He said neighbors alerted one another through a community Facebook group as the situation escalated. With dry conditions, he said, embers landing in driveways and yards raises serious concern. “As dry as it’s been … that’s a little scary as a homeowner,” Scuelke said.
The fire is part of a broader stretch of brush and wildfire activity across Northeast Florida and parts of Southeast Georgia, where persistent dry conditions have increased the risk of fast-moving fires.
News4JAX meteorologist Chris Holtzman said the region has been stuck in a very dry pattern but could see a shift starting later this weekend and into next week.
“It has been a very dry forecast,” Holtzman said, noting drought conditions have expanded. He said rain chances look better in the days ahead, with more widespread coverage possible next week and some areas potentially receiving one to two inches of rain.
Even with improving weather prospects, fire officials stress residents should take precautions to prevent new fires from starting. Safety reminders include:
- Avoid outdoor burning
- Properly dispose of cigarettes
- Don’t park vehicles on dry grass
- Avoid mowing or using spark-producing equipment during windy or low-humidity conditions
“Just be careful with fire,” said Sal Dalu, Forest Ranger with the Florida Forest Service is urging caution whether people are cooking outdoors or using a campfire. “Especially this time of the year.”
Officials said crews will continue monitoring the Nassau County fire area as containment improves.