Fire Alert Issued: First Coast Braces for Increased Weekend Fire Risk

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The threat of wildfires continues to loom over the First Coast, with dry and breezy conditions elevating the fire danger to critical levels.

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville had issued a Red Flag Warning, which was in effect until Friday afternoon for areas in both Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Meteorologists are warning that similar alerts may be issued over the weekend due to ongoing low humidity and strengthening winds.

Earlier in the day, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue teams swiftly responded to a small wildfire along the median of Interstate 295 near Lem Turner Road. The blaze scorched patches of grass but thankfully resulted in no injuries or damage to nearby properties. The primary effects were minor traffic disruptions and light smoke in the area.

Meanwhile, in Starke, firefighters successfully contained another fire ignited by a fallen tree, which caused both a blaze and a power outage near Estelle and Keller Streets. The outage left the area without power for several hours before services were restored.

In Putnam County, lingering smoke from earlier fires caused hazardous driving conditions Friday morning. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office shared an image from County Road 315 showing heavy smoke in the area. Several roads were temporarily closed, and Jenkins Elementary School dismissed early due to reduced visibility.

According to the Florida Forest Service, multiple wildfires remain active across the region. Red markers on the agency’s online map denote ongoing fires, while brown markers show those now fully contained.

Emergency officials are urging residents to use caution this weekend. Jax Ready recommends avoiding open flames, keeping vehicles off dry grass, properly discarding cigarettes, and clearing dead leaves or debris around homes. People should also ensure they can receive emergency alerts in case evacuations are ordered.