High Springs Firefighters Battle Grass Fire, Save Home

HIGH SPRINGS, FLA. – Just after 3 P.M. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, firefighters from High Springs, Alachua County, and Newberry were dispatched to the 20600 block of Norothwest 138^th Avenue in unincorporated Alachua County for a reported building fire.

Upon arrival of Alachua County units, firefighters reported a one-acre grass fire, that was threatening a mobile home, but had not yet caught the home on fire, moving south towards into a pasture and other homes.

Three brush trucks, specialized four-wheel drive trucks designed for fighting grass fires, responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze, while fire engines protected the mobile home that was threatened by the fire.

Multiple Deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office notified neighbors threatened by the fire to evacuate their homes or monitor the situation, based on the fire’s direction of travel.

After 30 minutes of intense firefighting efforts, the fire was contained to approximately three to four acres. Thanks to the quick efforts of homeowners and firefighters, the fire was stopped just a few feet from the home, saving the structure. Two residents were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

The fire is believed to have started from a small burn pile in the backyard that spread into the adjacent pasture on the property.

The High Springs Fire Department reminds the public to exercise extreme caution when burning outside. Pay attention to weather conditions and have a water source nearby. Burn piles must be 8 feet in diameter or less, 25 feet from your home, 25 feet from any wildlands or brush, 50 feet from a public road, and 150 feet from other occupied buildings. To learn more about burning outdoors in Florida, visit FloridaForestService.com

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