Greater Welaka Volunteer Fire Department

06/05/2026

Yesterday afternoon Tanker 12 responded with station 9 District 73 and forestry to a woods fire on Fern lane the fire was brought under control within two hours.
Then at 8:30 last night Squad and Tanker 12 responded with station 9,3 District 73 and forestry to a woods fire off Clear Lake. Upon arrival we found a two story structure in a heavily wooded area endangered with the building’s dock and kennel already engulfed. We spent four hours protecting the structure and containing the spread.

06/04/2026

Yesterday morning at 9:30 ENGINE 12 and Engine 23 responded to a power one down and fire at 4th and Orange street in Welaka. Engine 12 arrived and found a boat being towed down 309 had hit and pulled the power lines down resulting in fire on the power poles, lines and ground. With the help of Engine 23 and Welaka PD we secured the areas affected and called FPL to secure the power. After about 20 minutes FPL cut power to the line and the fires were extinguished.

05/26/2026

Yesterday afternoon and evening were quite busy. Woods, and Tanker 12 responded with stations 9 and 3 and forestry to a woods fire in Georgetown. The fire was fast moving in a heavily wooded area off Jumping Gully the fire was contained after a few hours. Shortly after that fire was dispatched another fire in Georgetown was reported on Meadow drive. Squad 12 and Engine 23 contained and extinguished this fire around 6pm. At 8 pm another brush fire was reported on highway 100 in San Mateo and Woods 12 responded with Engine 6,23 District 73 and forestry. That fire was contained at 10 pm.

05/22/2026

This afternoon Tanker 12 responded with Engines 23, 6 and District 73 to a camper fire in Satsuma. Engine 23 arrived to a camper with fire showing from the roof. Engine 23 made an aggressive attack and knocked down the fire quickly. Tanker 12 supplied water to Engine 23. Engine 6 assisted with extinguishing the fire. No injuries were reported.

05/15/2026

This afternoon Squad, Tanker And Woods 12 responded with stations 9, 23, 3 and District 73 to a brush fire in Georgetown. The fire was threatening structures and a piece of heavy equipment. With a quick response and aggressive attack the exposures were not damaged and the fire was extinguished after a few hours. Forestry cut a line around the fire and will be monitoring it for the next few days.
Please continue to adhere to the burn ban that is still in effect.

04/24/2026

This morning at 5:09 Tanker and Squad 12 responded with Engines 9,23,3 Tanker 9 and District 73 to a vehicle fire with a mobile home exposure. Engine 9 arrived to find a fully involved car on fire and the mobile home starting to burn. A quick response and aggressive attack by Engine 9’s crew knocked down the fire and stopped the progression into the mobile home. Tanker 9 supplied water to Engine 9. Tanker and Squad 12 assisted with extinguishment.

04/22/2026

This morning in Paradise Shores at 10:23, Tanker and Squad 12 responded with Engines 9,3,23,6, Tanker 9 and District 73 to a shed on fire attached to a mobile home. Due to a quick response and aggressive attack the fire was knocked down before it could extend into the mobile home. No injuries were reported.

04/21/2026

Yesterday afternoon woods 12 was requested to assist with the Bostwick fire. Woods 12 spent the next 7 hours assisting with property protection. Please continue to comply with the burn ban that is currently in place.

04/14/2026

Please refrain from any outside burning until further notice. Thanks for your help.

🔥BURN BAN IN EFFECT🔥
April 14, 2026

Unincorporated Putnam County has issued a burn ban starting Tuesday, April 14, through Tuesday, April 21. On April 21, conditions will be reevaluated.

As of April 14, the entirety of Putnam County is in extreme drought.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index for the county is 479. KBDI estimates the dryness of the soil and duff layers.
Relative humidity for the week is expected to be low, particularly at the end of the week.
According to the NWS, no precipitation is expected in the next 7 days.

What is not allowed during the burn ban?
🔥Outdoor burning (with exceptions, listed below)
🎆Use of explosive or combustible compounds
🚗Parking vehicles with catalytic converters in high grassy areas
🚭Throwing ci******es or matches

What IS allowed?
🌭Outdoor grills used in preparing food
🌲Activities for which a valid state open burn authorization has been issued by the Florida Forest Service

Decisions on issuing burn bans are a collaborative discussion between the county, Putnam County Fire Rescue, and Florida Forest Service.

04/14/2026

This morning Tanker and Squad 12 responded with Engines 23,6,9 and 11 tanker 9 Rescues 6,3 and District 73 to a house fire in Satsuma off Riverside Trail. Engine 23 arrived on scene with 25% of the home involved and multiple exposures. Tanker 12 deployed our dump tank and with Tanker 9 performed tanker shuttles. Squad 12 assisted with fire suppression. No injuries were reported.