Homes were evacuated and several were damaged Thursday as a brush fire grew to more than 250 acres and tore through Lake County near Paisley.
Lake County Fire Rescue officials said homes on Apricot Way in the Royal Trails section of the county were being threatened by the blaze.
Firefighters spotted and rescued a bear cub from the fire. The cub was singed by the flames, and Florida Fish and Wildlife officers will be evaluating the animal to make sure it's in good health.
“I think he will be OK. He is definitely survivable,” said Larry Connell of the Florida Forest Service.
The cub’s paws were burned, and it was singed on its head.
Rescuers named the cub “SJ,” short for “Smokey Junior.”
The fire began moving east out of the subdivision area and into open land by 6 p.m., and officials said structures were no longer in danger, although some were damaged.
“It was within 25 yards of my house and the property behind me. They were on his property, putting it out to keep it from burning his house down,” said resident Allen Swaine.
Seven dozers and a brush truck were working with the Lake County Fire Department.
Firefighters and the Florida Forest Service worked for nearly eight hours to get the blaze under control.
“You put in a control line around the fire, but then some embers will float over your control line and start a new fire,” said John Kern of the Florida Forest Serive.
A road block was set up at Royal Trails Road and Saffron Avenue while firefighters work to contain the brush fire.
“Without Lake County Fire Department doing what they did today and doing it as well as they did, a lot of people could have lost their lives,” said resident Steve Tucker.
By 9:15 p.m., the fire was 100 percent contained, after reaching 277 acres. Fire Rescue allowed residents back in their homes before dark.
No injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile in Volusia County, crews were working to contain another brush fire.
Drivers were being urged to avoid U.S. 17 and State Road 40 in Barberville near Buckles Road because of heavy smoke.
The fire burned through 300 acres.
The fire was 75 percent contained by 11 p.m.
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