PIERSON, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
A brush fire near Pierson has prompted the evacuation of homes and has closed portions of State Road 40 in Volusia County.
Firefighters from the Florida Forest Service and Volusia, Flagler and Lake counties are battling a brush fire that has consumed more than 450 acres in the Lake George Wildlife Management Area near Pierson. As of 10 p.m. Monday evening, the fire was about 60 percent contained.
A prescribed burn that was being conducted south of SR 40 and west of U.S. 17 early Monday escaped the containment lines and headed north/northeast.
Shortly after 3 p.m., the fire jumped SR 40, forcing the closure of the highway from the St. Johns River to U.S. 17.
"Because the vegetation on the other side of 40 is so dry, all it takes
is one ember, and we're off to the races again, and that's what happened
today," Timber Weller with the Florida Forest Service.
At least six homes on Byrd and Jericho roads have been evacuated, but those who were asked to leave were eventually allowed back inside their homes.
Crews will continue to work on the fire overnight and into the morning.
