Firefighters in Nassau County are responding to a 70-acre brush fire near Hilliard, which is currently reported as 50 percent contained. Aerial footage shows smoke rising from the wooded area as fire crews work to control the blaze. According to Action News Jax, the fire led to road closures, though no structural damage has been reported. Henry Smith Road has since reopened to traffic.
In an interview with First Coast News, local resident James Strickland described the dense smoke and the smell of burning pine in the area. Residents, including Nicholas Manc, raised concerns about air quality, particularly for older individuals with respiratory difficulties. Some residents have taken personal precautions, such as spraying water on their roofs to reduce the risk of ember-related damage.
As of Wednesday evening, the Florida Forest Service reported on the fire’s size and containment status, while the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office has deployed its drone unit to support ground firefighting efforts. News4Jax notes that County Road 108 was previously closed but has since reopened, and firefighting operations continue without reported structural damage.
