There’s some good news and bad news with the wildfires that decimating Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Crews have steadily been making progress in containing them and wind conditions have improved, but drought conditions have not.
Weather forecasters aren’t seeing any relief coming, so this remains a very volatile time. Smokey conditions and burn bans also remain.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to both Florida and Georgia to fight these fires.
Here are some updates on several ongoing wildfires.
Railroad Fire in southern Clay County and northern Putnam County
The Florida Forest Service said it’s now holding at 4,406 acres at 60% containment.
“The ground crews have continued making good progress on improving fire break lines, structure protection and reducing hazardous vegetation (fuel) between fire break lines,” the Forest Service said in its morning update. “Air operations will sustain throughout the day with four scoopers continuing to make water drops to assist with hot spots and slowing fire progression.”
Smoke can be expected throughout course of the fire.
Clay County Fire Rescue said no roads are closed.
Brantley County Fire
The fire in Brantley County, Georgia, is at 5,000 acres and 15% contained. The Sheriff’s Office said 54 structures have been destroyed.
“The fire has remained stable since approximately 2 a.m. and is currently positioned on the east side of the Browntown area,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its morning update. “While this stability is encouraging, wind conditions remain unpredictable and could cause conditions to change rapidly.”
The following road closures remain in place:
The Conner-Nelson Fire and Buford Bay Fire in Nassau County
The Forest Service said these fires are both 85% contained. The Conner-Nelson Fire is at 500 acres and Buford Bay Fire at 100 acres.
Pace Court Fire and Mondex Fire in Putnam County
The Pace Court Fire in Interlachen is at 343 acres and 85% contained, while the Mondex Fire 2 miles north of Rodman is at 300 acres and 30% contained.
(This story has been updated with information from FEMA.)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: The good and the bad, what’s the latest on all the area wildfires?
Reporting by Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
