BALDWIN, Fla. -- A month ago homeowners were preparing for the worst because of the Baldwin Bay fire. "It's only about a mile or less from here," said Marvin Godbold Jr.
Marvin has 35-years of memories in his house, but earlier this year thick smoke made it hard for him to stay.
"Some mornings you go out to get the paper, and my goodness you can't hardly breathe," he said.
Baldwin Bay is one of four fires that are still smoldering burning 1100 acres in our area.
"You always have it in the back of your mind, you losing your home or your neighbors losing theirs," said Godbold.
"In western Duval County, we just simply haven't has as much rain. I think we've measured about 10 inches including Tropical Storm Beryl," said Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, Annaleasa Winter.
At one time there were as many as two dozen wildfires burning in our area. Recent rains have helped put most of them out.
But the Florida Forest Service says the danger is still there. "Anytime we go about two weeks without rainfall, our fire dangers increase. So we need to be vigilant year round," said Winter.
The Baldwin Bay fire is 95-percent contained. And homeowners like Marvin hope mother nature steps in again.
"Sometimes you got to be careful for what you pray for. You'll get it and sometimes more," said Godbold.
Flagler and Putnam are the driest counties in our area, but both are well below severe drought levels.
