JFRD, Florida Forest Service respond to forest fire near I-295 and State Road 9B

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and Florida Forest Service responded Friday night to a forest fire off of Persimmon Hill Court near Interstate 295 and State Road 9B.

As of 9:12 p.m., the fire was out, according to Annaleasa Winter with the FFS. Crews were trying to plow around the fire, but it was slow going because of the thick woods and visibility was an issue.

At 6:15 p.m., JFRD said a call reporting the fire came in from a resident on nearby Chester Lake Road East.

Firefighters gained access to the fire at the dead end of Persimmon Hill Court.

Winter said the fire was about an acre. Firefighters initially had trouble getting to the area, which is marshy, Winter said.

No homes were threatened, but ash was flying onto nearby homes.

Winter said the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. The Action News First Alert Weather team believes the cause may be lightning, due to a storm cell that was moving through the area at the time.