Editor’s Note: In light of another historic drought and season of wildfires, The Florida Times-Union is republishing this look back on the 1998 fires.
In June and July of 1998, searing heat, drought and low humidity set in across Northeast Florida — perfect conditions for the fires that popped up across the area in the hundreds.
The disaster drew national attention and disrupted life for weeks for thousands. Though smoke choked the air everywhere, and ashes fell from the Westside to the Beaches, the fires were worst in Flagler County, which was ordered completely evacuated — businesses, hospitals, housing developments, nursing homes. Everything.
Drivers lined up for gas to escape the flames. Some were forced into detours after fires jumped highways and back roads. Interstate 95 was shut down because of flames, from Duval to Brevard counties, and panicky evacuees turned Florida A1A from two lanes to four.
NASCAR even canceled the Pepsi 400 in Daytona. A good thing, officials said later: That freed up hundreds of hotel rooms for those fleeing the fires.
Meanwhile, dire warnings were issued. “This naturally occurring event has overtaken our ability to stop its progression,” said an emergency official in Tallahassee.
“This is the Hurricane Andrew of wildfires … People are terrified,” said a Volusia County spokesperson.
The fires ultimately damaged or destroyed an estimated 340 homes and 33 businesses. In a way, though, the area was lucky: Though an estimated 500,000 acres burned, much of it was on land devoted to timber operations.
Still, for many months afterward, drivers on I-95 couldn’t help but be reminded of the flames as they passed by the charred trees and houses that lined each side of the highway, for mile after mile.
(This story has been updated with photo galleries.)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Vintage Times-Union: 1998 and ‘the Hurricane Andrew of wildfires’
Reporting by Matt Soergel, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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