04/22/2026
🔥 Wildfire Update from Clay County Fire Rescue 🔥
The fires in southern Clay County/northern Putnam County are now a combined 4,186 acres and 55% contained. Hundreds of responders are on the lines. Here is what you need to know locally:
🌫️ AIR QUALITY: Smoke is pushing north, and air quality is diminishing. If you are sensitive to respiratory issues, please stay indoors and remember to recirculate the AC while driving.
🚤 BOATER SAFETY: Please avoid boating on the St. Johns River. Planes are actively scooping water to fight the blaze, and they need a clear path.
🛣️ ROADS: No roads in Clay County are currently closed.
📍 LOCATION: The fire remains south of Green Cove Springs (Sweat Road) and east of Highway 17 to the county line.
✅ BE READY: Ask yourself—are you wildfire ready? Learn more at bewildfirereadyfl.com
📞 QUESTIONS? The Call Center is open for your questions at 877-CLAY-EOC.
🔥 REMINDER: The Town of Orange Park has a 24/7/365 burn ban. Per Town Fire Code § 22-1, the burning of trash, garbage, and yard rubbish is prohibited.
4/22 9:30 AM WILDFIRE UPDATE:
The fires in southern Clay County/northern Putnam County are a combined 4,186 acres and are 55% contained. Hundreds of responders from multiple counties and the state continue to fight this fire. Here are the latest updates:
- No roads in Clay County are closed.
- The fire continues to remain south of Green Cove Springs (Sweat Road), and east of Highway 17 to the county line. We’ll post an updated detailed map as soon as possible.
- We are pushing out a lot of information. Please take the time stay up to date on the latest about this fire.
- The smoke has pushed north past Green Cove Springs, and the air quality is diminishing. Please avoid the area where the fire is - the smoke along the highway is heavy.
- For those that are vulnerable to respiratory issues, please stay indoors. Recirculate your AC while driving.
- Clay County IS STILL UNDER A BURN BAN. This means absolutely no outdoor burning, except for grilling. You can learn more at claycountygov.com
- Now is a good time to look at the defensible space around your home - a 30 foot buffer from your home to wooded areas is a good rule of thumb.
- Ask yourself if you’re wildfire ready. To learn more, visit bewildfirereadyfl.com
- There are NO NEW VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS in place aside from Varney Road and Woodard Lane, and officials have not deemed it safe to return to those areas.
- Please DO NOT fly drones above the fire or the water. It prevents emergency aircraft from fighting this fire.
- Please do not come look at the fire. It’s not safe!
- Avoid boating on the St. Johns River, as planes are actively gathering water to fight the fire.
- We appreciate the offers to come volunteer. At this time, we have enough resources, and we’ll let our community know if the need arises.
- We also appreciate the offers for prepackaged food and drink donations for our crews! We will gladly accept them at the Clay County Fairgrounds Cattlemen’s Arena!
- The Call Center is taking questions about this fire. That number is 877-CLAY-EOC.
Florida Forest Service- Jacksonville District Clay County Sheriff's Office, Florida