Nassau County officials: Wildfires reach 1,600 acres, 50% contained

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE 9:30 a.m.- Officials said that the fire has grown to 1,600 acres, but it is still 50% contained. Units have been placed strategically near any homes that could potentially be threatened, but no evacuation orders have been issued. The cause of the fire is still officially unknown despite suspicions that it was started by a car fire. County Road 121 is still closed, but residents living in the area will be allowed to pass with proof of residency.

UPDATE 9:12 a.m.- Florida Highway Patrol reports that County Road 121 and County Road 119 are closed due to smoke levels.

UPDATE 7:51 a.m.- Officials in Nassau County said the wildfire is now 50% contained.

UPDATE 9:00 p.m.: Officials in Nassau County have said that the wildfire off County Road 119 and County Road 112 near Bryceville has more than quadrupled in size from earlier this afternoon to over 600 acres.

However, there are still no calls for evacuations as of yet.

Officials say that this all started from a vehicle fire.

Action News Jax was able to speak to residents in Nassau County where fire personnel are still working to contain the fire.

“Anytime there’s a fire out here, everybody in this area is worried about their property,” neighbor Rich Staley said.

The Florida Forest Service said the fire has grown to over 650 acres and is just 20 percent contained as neighbors watch nervously.

Jim Coleman, another neighbor said, “Lots of planes flying, helicopters dumping water, it’s a big deal.”

The memories of this fire carry with them traumatic flashbacks.

“I didn’t know anything, if my husband was dead or alive, because, I couldn’t get in touch with him because there was no power,” Pam McCoy, a local neighbor said.

McCoy was talking about the fire that raged in 2017 through Nassau County. It destroyed homes throughout the Bryceville community. She remembers everything and what her husband had to do to save their home.

“He had my little Yorkie under one arm and he was fighting the fire in our yard, and he stopped it three feet in front of the house,” McCoy said.

Personnel on scene say they expect containment efforts to run into Friday, at least.

Original Story: Nassau County officials are currently monitoring two wildfires in two different areas of the county.

An active wildfire northwest of Bryceville has grown to near 125 acres, Nassau County 911/Dispatch is reporting.

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That fire started due to a vehicle fire.

The other fire being monitored is a 50-acre wildfire near Hilliard.

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No evacuations, road closures or endangerments have been reported at this time due to either fire.

Action News Jax will update this story with the latest information as it becomes available.

Forest Service: Wildfires spread to at least 650 acres

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