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In Marion County, Florida, a brush fire has necessitated the closure of State Road 19 south of Salt Springs. This decision, made by officials on Saturday, comes as firefighters intensify efforts to control the blaze, the U.S. Forest Service reports.
The fire is located roughly five miles south of Salt Springs, nestled within the Ocala National Forest and east of State Road 19, close to Lake George. The dense smoke is significantly affecting road visibility, prompting law enforcement to be on-site, managing traffic and cautioning drivers to adhere to the posted signs. Additionally, officials have restricted northbound travel from State Road 40 due to the fire’s impact.
Authorities have also cautioned boaters on Lake George to steer clear of the affected area. This is crucial as helicopters are actively engaged in water-dipping operations to combat the fire.
Officials work to control the Bills Branch fire in the Ocala National Forest (U.S. Forest Service)
To mitigate the disruption caused by the road closures, the Florida Highway Patrol has recommended alternative routes for drivers. For those traveling northbound on State Road 19, the suggested detour involves a left turn onto State Road 40 heading west, followed by a right turn onto County Road 314A, and then another right onto Salt Springs Highway (County Road 314) to reconnect with State Road 19.
State Road 19 – Northbound: Motorists wishing to head northbound along S.R. 19 will be directed to turn left (west) onto S.R 40, turn right onto C.R. 314A, and turn right onto Salt Springs Highway (C.R.314) before reaching S.R. 19.
State Road 19 – Southbound: Motorists wishing to head southbound along S.R.19 will be directed to turn right (west) onto Salt Springs Highway (C.R. 314), turn left onto C.R. 314A, and turn left onto S.R. 40 before reaching S.R. 19.
U.S. Forest Service said they are actively engaged on the fire, with resources including two engines, two dozers, an Interagency Wildland Fire Module, an Interagency Hotshot Crew, the Smokey Helitack ground crew, two helicopters and an air‑attack command ship. Additional resources have been ordered.
Crews have established a dozer line around the perimeter and are using localized firing tactics to keep the fire within that footprint. The fire is estimated at roughly 75 acres as of 6 p.m.
Operations are expected to continue through the night, officials said.
“Ignition was determined to be human caused, accidental,” the U.S. Forest Service said in their statement.
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