A brush fire on a private island in Keystone Heights impacted residents surrounding Lake Geneva and traffic on State Road 21 on Friday, November 21.
The blaze broke out near 1455 South Lawrence Blvd. at approximately 10:34 a.m. It rapidly spread across the island, significantly affecting residents, filling the area with smoke.
Clay County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forestry Service arrived on the scene to mitigate the fire. Due to difficulties accessing the island, Clay firefighters used a boat to reach parts of the fire until Forestry officials could clear a path to the actual blaze.
The Florida Highway Patrol and Clay County Fire Rescue officials posted a Facebook notice advising residents that visibility at night could be limited and that they are aware of the ongoing brush fire in the area and are monitoring the situation.
According to Florida Forestry, there is one resident on the island, but the fire did not spread to the resident’s home.
Units from Keystone Heights, Starke, Clay Hill, Green Cove Springs, and other stations assisted in the effort.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Clay County Fire Rescue said the blaze on the 25-acre island was extinguished on Monday, November 24.
