- Several large wildfires remained active Thursday in Alachua, Clay, Levy, and Putnam counties in Florida with containment levels varying from 30% to 75%.
- Evacuations continued in Levy County due to the Cow Creek Fire, which burned 1,850 acres and led to road closures and loss of one outbuilding.
Several large wildfires remained active across Florida on Thursday afternoon, including in areas such as Alachua, Clay, Levy and Putman counties.
Click here to see a map of the current wildfires throughout Florida.
Alachua County
Multiple fires near Gainesville remained active as of Thursday afternoon. The N. Main Street fire number two was at 106 acres and 75% containment, according to the Florida Forest Service wildfire dashboard. Meanwhile, the State Road 26 fire, northeast of the Gainesville Regional Airport, was at 302 acres and 70% containment.
Roads have reopened, but the city of Gainesville said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the city will “likely continue to experience periodic smoke” until it receives rainfall.
“Smoke from large wildfires in neighboring counties may also impact our area,” the city said in its post.
Alachua County had five active fires listed on the Florida Forest Service wildfire dashboard as of Thursday afternoon.
Clay, Putnam counties
The Railroad Fire in Clay and Putnam counties had hit 4,406 acres and was 60% contained, according to a Thursday afternoon update from the Florida Forest Service Jacksonville Forestry Center.
The fire formed when the Crews Road Fire in Clay County and the Railroad Complex Fire in Putnam County merged, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Officials said crews will continue with mop-up operations and line improvement throughout Thursday. An air attack was also expected throughout Thursday.
While no roads are closed in Clay County, officials urge residents to use caution when traveling.
No other active fires were affecting Clay County as of Thursday afternoon. However, Putnam County had a total of four active fires, according to the Florida Forest Service wildfire dashboard. This included the Railroad Fire.
Levy County
As of Thursday morning, the Cow Creek Fire in Levy County had grown to 1,850 acres and was 30% contained.
According to a post on the Florida Forest Service – Waccasassa Forestry Center Facebook page, fire activity picked up early Thursday morning, “and the fire jumped containment lines.”
The Forest Service said in its post that firefighters were quickly able to bring that area of the fire under control, and that crews continue to battle the blaze 24 hours a day.
Evacuations remain in place, and parts of County Road 326 between County Road 337 and U.S. Highway 19 remain closed near the fire area, according to the Florida Forest Service. No homes have been damaged or destroyed by the fire, but one outbuilding was lost.
On Thursday, Levy County also announced the immediate closure of Henry Beck Park in Morriston due to the Cow Creek Fire.
In a press release, the county said the closure is being implemented “out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all residents, park visitors and fire personnel.”
Citizens needing shelter because of the evacuations should visit the Levy County Government Center Cafeteria at 310 School Street in Bronson.
Citizen information lines were open as of 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The numbers are 352-486-5155 and 352-486-5576.
Levy County, which had no wildfires on Sunday, had six active fires listed on the Florida Forest Service wildfire dashboard as of Thursday afternoon.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information.
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.