LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A bear cub was rescued from a 300-acre Lake County brush fire that is now contained, and authorities are working to reunite the cub with his mother.
Homes were evacuated Thursday as Lake County Fire Rescue fought the brush fire.
Jason Hasty said he was at work when he got a call from his neighbor saying there was fire in his backyard and rushed home.
"Literally, you can see the smoke and it's like, 'Oh, this is kind of too close for comfort.' We're having to spray the water hose on it just to make sure everything is fine; it absolutely is really close," Hasty said.
Fire crews said the brush fire started at 25 acres and spread quickly, with winds fueling the flames across streets, making it difficult for firefighters to contain.
"With those strong winds, we've had trouble with spotting fires going across roads and across our control lines," said John Kern, deputy chief with Florida Forest Service.
The fire got pretty close to homes, burning right through a gazebo on someone's back porch.
Hasty said he got lucky.
"Nothing is damaged. Everything is burnt. We're just worried about the wildlife because this is where all the bears were going on," added Hasty.
No injuries have been reported, but two homes were evacuated as a result of the fire.
Firefighters blocked the road at Royal Trails Road and Saffron Avenue.
Officials were also able to save a bear cub from the flames and named him Smokey Junior.
"He comes walking out of the woods whining, just down here at the end of the road," said Ray Lovett, forest area supervisor.
Crews said the bears can usually out-run fires, but the cub is only a couple months old. They told News 6 there was no mother bear in sight when the cub wandered out.
"His hair has been singed. He's got some minor burns, looks like, on the bottom of his feet, maybe his lips, but he's certainly survivable if cared for,” Lovett said.
Smokey Junior has been turned over to wildlife officials.
The cause is still under investigation.
The Florida Forest Service said numerous units were sent to help fight the brush fire, along with helicopters for water drops.
Meanwhile, State Road 40 reopened Friday morning in Volusia County because of heavy smoke from a separate brush fire. The road was closed Thursday night in the area of Pierson and Barberville.
Firefighters said they will continue to monitor the fire and urged drivers to use caution while driving in the area.
Check back for more on this developing story.