ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (Apr 7) - Crews from a number of Alachua and Putnam County agencies were dispatched to reports of a large brush fire in the rural area between Orange Heights and Erleton.
On the heels of a 35-acre brush fire that occurred the day before, personnel from Alachua County Fire Rescue, Cross Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Division of Forestry, Melrose Fire Rescue and Waldo Fire Rescue responded quickly to reports of a 50-acre brush fire near CR1469 and NE 77th Lane.
Upon arrival, however, crews found not one but two fires, both of which had been purposely set.
Unfortunately, exceedingly dry conditions combined with low humidity and a strong wind to create a single fire which grew to 225 acres before it was controlled.
As dry conditions continue in Alachua and surrounding counties, more brush fires are likely to occur in the months ahead, keeping firefighters in North Central Florida on their toes.
