Firefighters have protected most of the homes and businesses threatened by wildfires in northwest Florida this week, but they still have a lot of work ahead of them to contain a massive blaze that's burning in three counties.
700-acre brushfire caused by an escaped prescribed burn
A Florida Forest Service manager said the fire got out of control because it was windier than originally forecasted. Author: Jessica Clark Updated: 7:22 PM EDT May 18, 2021
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. The brush fire in western St. Johns County started as a prescribed burn, meaning officials planned the fire. However, flames escaped from it Monday afternoon, according to the Florida Forest Service.
By Tuesday afternoon, it had burned almost 693 acres of mostly private property. Anthony Petellat, the Florida Forest Service Bunnell District Manager, said that the acreage is mostly owned by Rayonier, a timber company.