Citrus County Fire Rescue

06/17/2026

🔥 Wildfire Update – Withlacoochee State Forest (Trail 13) 🔥
Citrus County - 6/17/2026 9:16 AM
Cause: Lightning
Fire crews continue to make progress on the Trail 13 wildfire. The fire remains 80% contained with approximately 690 acres burned. Activity is minimal and staying within the interior of the forest.
Florida Forest Service–Withlacoochee crews are on scene today reinforcing containment lines and conducting mop‑up operations.
For everyone’s safety, please continue to avoid the area until further notice.
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🔥 Wildfire Update – Withlacoochee State Forest (Trail 13), Citrus County
Final Update for the Evening – 10:20 PM
• Cause: Lightning
• 687 acres burned | 80% contained
• Fire activity remains minimal and is burning within the interior of the forest.
• Fire crews will continue working throughout the night until it's 90% containment
• The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol will be monitoring South Lecanto Hwy and West Cardinal Street for potential smoke impacts.
• Firefighters will return tomorrow to continue mop‑up operations.
Please continue to avoid the area for everyone’s safety.

06/16/2026

06/12/2026

⚠️ PUBLIC NOTICE ⚠️

Citrus County Fire Rescue has been made aware of a social media post advertising a "Citrus Fire and EMS Fishing Tournament."

We want to clarify that Citrus County Fire Rescue is not affiliated with, participating in, sponsoring, endorsing, or benefiting from this event.

Any event officially supported by or benefiting Citrus County Fire Rescue will be announced through our official social media platforms and communication channels.

We appreciate the City of Crystal River-Government and Crystal River Fire Department for helping clarify this matter.

Thank you for your continued support of Citrus County Fire Rescue.

⚠️ PUBLIC NOTICE ⚠️

An event is being shared on social media, inviting people to join the "Citrus Fire and EMS Fishing Tournament" this Sunday, the 14th.

Commercial activity is 𝙉𝙊𝙏 allowed at city boat ramps. The event is 𝙉𝙊𝙏 endorsed by the City of Crystal River, Crystal River Fire Department, or Citrus County Fire Rescue.

Please 𝘿𝙊 𝙉𝙊𝙏 deliver your fresh fish to the Crystal River Fire Department - If you do end up going out fishing on your own this weekend, please take your catch home to your family for dinner. 😂

Any event by the City of Crystal River will be announced through our official social media platforms and communication channels.

06/12/2026

🚑👏 Thank You and Congratulations, Division Chief Jason Morgan! 👏🚑

Today, Citrus County Fire Rescue bids a heartfelt farewell to Division Chief of EMS Jason Morgan as he begins his well-earned retirement.

When Jason joined CCFR in 2019, he brought with him decades of EMS experience, leadership, and vision. What followed was one of the most transformative periods in our department's history.

Chief Morgan played an instrumental role in transitioning our fire engines to Advanced Life Support (ALS) and was a driving force behind the successful launch of EMS transport services in October 2021. His leadership helped transform Citrus County Fire Rescue into a fully integrated Fire/EMS organization capable of providing advanced patient care from the moment help arrives until patients reach definitive care.

Beyond the ambulances and protocols, Jason helped build the foundation of our EMS system by developing personnel, strengthening clinical standards, supporting our partnership with the Medical Director, and helping establish programs that continue to improve patient outcomes across Citrus County.

His contributions will be felt for years to come, and the success of our EMS system today is due in no small part to his dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence.

While we will greatly miss his leadership, mentorship, and friendship, we are excited for him as he begins this next chapter.

Please join us in thanking Division Chief Morgan for his service and wishing him a long, healthy, and happy retirement.

Congratulations, Chief, and thank you for everything. 🚑❤️

06/12/2026

🎉🚒🚑 3 YEARS OF SERVICE!🚑🚒🎉

Today we're celebrating three dedicated members of the CCFR family who began their journey with us on June 12, 2023:

🔥 Firefighter/EMT Blake Daehnick
🚑 EMT Celeste Avant
🚑 EMT Ashton Somerville

Over the past three years, these professionals have provided outstanding care, served multiple communities across Citrus County, and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to those we serve.

From emergency medical calls and lifesaving interventions to professional development and daily service, each has made a meaningful impact on our department and community.

Please join us in congratulating Blake, Celeste, and Ashton on this milestone and thanking them for their dedication to Citrus County Fire Rescue!

👏 Happy 3-Year Anniversary!

06/11/2026

🚑🎉 Congratulations to Our Newly Credentialed Paramedics! 🎉🚑

Please join us in congratulating Paramedic Payton Granata and Transport Firefighter/Paramedic Colin Coyle on successfully completing the Citrus County Fire Rescue credentialing process! 👏

Credentialing is a critical step for all paramedics, ensuring they meet our department’s high standards before being released to independent duty. This process includes scenario-based evaluations and assessments overseen by our Medical Director to confirm clinical readiness and the ability to provide high-quality patient care in the field.

Payton serves as a single-cert paramedic, while Colin serves as a dual-certified Transport Firefighter/Paramedic, and both have demonstrated the knowledge, skill, and professionalism required to serve the citizens and visitors of Citrus County.

We are proud to have these dedicated professionals on our team and look forward to the impact they will make in our community.

Congratulations and well done! 💪🚑

06/11/2026

📊🚒 MAY 2026 RECAP 🚑📊

May was another busy month for Citrus County Fire Rescue as our crews responded to emergencies across the county while continuing to provide exceptional fire and EMS services to our community.

Here’s a snapshot of the month in action:

📞 3,185 total incidents responded to
🏥 1,631 EMS transports
🔥 61 brush, vehicle, and structure fires
🚒 Engine 03 – Homosassa – Busiest engine
🚑 Rescue 07 – Connell Heights – Busiest 24-hour rescue
🚑 Rescue 52 – Busiest high-performance rescue

Every response represents the dedication, professionalism, and teamwork of our firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and support personnel. Thank you for trusting us to serve and protect Citrus County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

06/08/2026

🚒🔥 Massive Commercial Fire in Crystal River

Citrus County Fire Rescue responded Sunday morning to a large commercial structure fire on N. Winterset Ave. in Crystal River.

Firefighters arrived to find a 10,000-square-foot commercial building heavily involved in fire, with intense heat and flames threatening a nearby home.

🚒 Crews operated defensively due to the size of the fire and numerous hazards, including propane tanks, compressed gas cylinders, and repeated explosions within the structure.

💧 Fire under control: 1:49 p.m.
🔥 Fire out: 5:27 p.m.

A nearby residence sustained exterior damage; however, firefighters successfully prevented the fire from spreading into the home and avoided the loss of a second structure.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office.

🙏 Thank you to the Crystal River Fire for their mutual aid assistance and incident photographs.

⚠️ Safety Reminder: Commercial and agricultural facilities can contain hazardous materials that significantly increase fire risks. If a fire occurs, evacuate immediately and call 911 from a safe location.