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Railroad Fire Reaches 65% Containment as Evacuations Ease

Controlled burnouts target hot spots to lock in progress during lingering smoke.

Overview

  • The wildfire along the ClayPutnam county line is now 65% contained at 4,413 acres, with the most active burning on the southern end.
  • Residents from Varney Road and Woodard Lane have been cleared to return, and no Clay County roads are closed because of the fire.
  • Overnight crews carried out controlled burnouts inside containment lines to remove unburned fuel, then continued mopping up and hitting hot spots from the air.
  • Smoke continues to lower visibility and irritate lungs, so officials urge drivers to slow down and people with breathing issues to stay indoors and run air conditioning on recirculate.
  • Burn bans remain in effect across the region to prevent new ignitions, and FEMA agreed to reimburse Florida for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs.