EUSTIS, Fla. – A fast-moving brush fire that threatened homes and prompted the closure of a major roadway in Lake County is now 100% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.
It was one of two brush fires in Lake County on Tuesday.
The fire started Tuesday off St. Johns Lane in Eustis, the Florida Forest Service said on Facebook.
John and Bettie Jelley said the brush fire spread to their backyard where it burned the majority of it and got close to their home and barn. They said they worked fast to try to prevent it from getting too close, but it was a scary sight. They said thankfully the fire crews worked to put it out before something worse happened.
“I’m upset and I’m going to have a hard time sleeping tonight.” Jelley went on to say, “We were not prepared to try cover 5 acres with water hoses. It got within 30 feet from my barn; I grabbed my horses to protect them. Our fences had to be taken down so the firefighters could get back in there, I heard there is a lot of damage.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said C.R. 44A was shut down near Purple Martin Road. That road is now back open.
As of 5 p.m., officials said the fire had burned about 94 acres.
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Lake County firefighters said they were assisted by the Tavares Fire Department, Mount Dora Fire Department, Eustis Fire Department, and the Florida Forest Service.
“We request that the area be avoided to ensure safe access for emergency personnel,” FFS said in the Facebook post.
No other details, including what type of structures are located near the fire, have been released.
The second fire was in the area of S. Dewey Robbins Road in Howey-in-the-Hills.
The 4.21-acre fire was also threatening structures, according to the Florida Forest Service, but the fire is now in the mop-up stage.
Check back for updates.