Officials say 'worst is over' after Nassau County wildfire

BRYCEVILLE, Fla — PHOTOS: Lighter found on scene where blaze started | Wildfire aftermath 

UPDATE 11 a.m.: Officials said there are reports of residents still doing open burns, and officials are urging residents not to burn anything for the time being.

The Florida Forest Service hopes to have the fire 85 percent contained by Friday evening. There is still a lot of smoke in the area.

Officials now say 250 homes were saved thanks to quick work from the firefighters.

UPDATE 8 a.m.: The Florida Forest Service said County Road 121 is shut down because of increased humidity.

Annalease Winter 's report: "On Cortez, which is right off of County Road 119, there is about a 20-acre patch of unburned fuel inside of our fire perimeter so that’s got to be handled. They had a couple of spot fires emanated from this area, so firefighters were able to get them under control with water and put them out .

We have got to figure out what to do with this patch of unburned fuel that’s inside of our fire line, so whether they'll try to burn that out or just carve those lines a little bit closer.

A lot of smoke [is] being produced. We will continue to mop [Friday] 50 to 100 feet from that fire edge we’re working on. [We are] trying to minimize the smoke and the concern for the residents.

As long as the humidity is good, the winds are calm, things are wonderful for firefighters, but its those gusty winds we will have to deal with, so its just dry.

The fire risk is going up, so the we’re definitely going to be challenged.”

UPDATE 7:17 a.m.: Officials say the fire is 75 percent contained, but warn that flare-ups remain a danger. 

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Two homes were destroyed, eight were damaged and another 19 outhouses were either damaged or destroyed.

Despite devastation for some families, the quick action of firefighters helped save 100 homes.

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, the wildfire was burning 693 acres and remained contained at 65 percent.

TRENDING: First renderings on St. Johns County 14-acre Crystal Lagoon released

Much of County Road 119 and County Road 121 felt the brunt of this wildfire. In some spots, homes were barely damaged, but in others it looked like a war zone.

The two homes that were destroyed are on CR 119 near an area where Nassau County Emergency Management said the fire jumped the road and grew.

At one of the homes, the property owner tried to defend his house with a garden hose but was ordered to evacuate.

Neighbors like Eric Yates remain optimistic.

“Things can be replaced, but lives, we don't want to do that,” Yates said.

The Florida Forest Service said the wildfire was man-made. The person responsible was illegally burning household trash when the fire got out of control.

“He probably had no intention on making this happen, but unfortunately it did and somebody needs to be held accountable for it,” Yates said.

The spokesperson for the Florida Forest Service, Annaleasa Winter, said the person responsible was cited with a “notice of violation” and will likely receive a bill from the state.

“It's going to be the dozers and any aircraft that worked in the area and personally, but the clock is still ticking because the fire is not contained. So it's still adding up -- it's going to be several thousand dollars,” Winter said.

Winter said neighbors who lost property may opt to file a lawsuit against him as well.

RELATED: 100 homes saved from Nassau County wildfire

Yates’ home was spared, but he said it was a close call. He could still remember the sound of the flames.

“I could hear it hissing through the woods, and unfortunately, this is all pine and timberland for paper,” Yates said.

As homeowners return to their homes, some won’t have anything to return to. But neighbors said they’ll hold on to each other and rebuild.

Electrical crews worked Thursday to restore power to impacted homes.

Many fire crews from across the region also stepped up to help. Nassau County Emergency Management said it even received a call from as far away as Pasco County, offering their help if needed.

Yates had this message for the men and women who risked their lives to stop the flames and save their homes.

“Thank you. Thank you, heaven sent. Couldn't have asked for a better response,” Yates said.

Cox Media Group