CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – As wildfires continue burning across parts of Clay and Putnam counties, some families living in the area are choosing to stay, even as the flames remain an active threat.
For some residents, the decision isn’t just about their homes. It’s about the animals and land they’ve spent decades caring for.
The Daniels family said they have no plans to leave, in part, because of their small farm.
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“You see, we have a little farm here,” a family member said. “So somebody’s gonna be here to take care of the animals.”
The family said they have one pig, about 20 to 21 chickens, and a puppy dog on the property.
When asked what they would do if the fire moved closer, their answer was direct: “We put it out.”
People in the area say they have lived there for more than 25 years and have seen fires in the area before.
Another resident, named Scott, said he was not afraid the fire would reach his home, pointing to the work of crews on the ground.
“Not with all this, but all those bulldozers and then guys there risking their lives. They got some big old wide spots in that forest,” Scott said.
Scott’s approach to protecting his property included mowing around his home, keeping the area clear, and trying to keep things watered down.
For now, residents said they are staying put but monitoring conditions closely as firefighting efforts continue in the area.