PHOTO GALLERY: Chopper images of Clay County wildfire
A wildfire that started Tuesday afternoon near railroad tracks is now estimated to have burned around 190 acres.
On Tuesday afternoon, the fire was originally thought to be as many as 400 acres when estimating by air, but Florida Forest Service officials were able to get an estimate on the ground Tuesday night and found that about 225 acres had burned.
Then, on Wednesday, forestry crews found that only 190 acres had actually burned.
Ten Florida Forest Service bulldozers were used to battle the wildfire on Decoy Road near Green Cove Springs in Clay County on Tuesday.
No homes or buildings were burned as a result of the fire. Some residents prepared to evacuate just in case, but no evacuation order was given by officials.
A helicopter was also deployed to douse the flames with hundreds of gallons of water. Firefighters from Putnam County and Jacksonville were also on the scene throughout the day to help.
Around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, the bulldozers were removed from the scene. Crews were expected to monitor the fire throughout the night Tuesday and continue mop up on Wednesday.
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the fire was 90 percent contained.
#DecoyRoadFire update: GPS mapping of fire shows 190 acres, mopping up today, containment up to 90% Nice Work everyone! @ClayCounty_EM
— FFS Jacksonville (@FFS_Jax) April 12, 2017
Fire officials said the herbicide was originally placed in the area so crews wouldn't have to do a prescribed burn, but then it created additional obstacles.
"We're looking at a lot of spotting. The areas have been treated with herbicide, which makes it flammable, challenging firefighters now. Under normal conditions, it's not a problem, but because it's so dry right now, the herbicide does exacerbate the problem," said Annaleasa Winter of the Florida Forest Service.
An investigator was expected to be on scene on Wednesday to determine a cause of the fire.
WATCH: RAW HELICOPTER FOOTAGE OF WILDFIRE
fire crews currently working a wildfire in the area of Decoy Rd and 209S.. Residents and drivers use caution in the area pic.twitter.com/HREuUeTDNn
— Clay County EM (@ClayCounty_EM) April 11, 2017
— Clay County EM (@ClayCounty_EM) April 11, 2017
photo:CCEM- Clay Co Emer Mng says fire on Decoy road is 100+ acres, and winds are pushing it and not under control. no injuries/evacuations pic.twitter.com/3zFdNOdcwI
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Clay Co EM says wildfire in rural area, no structures threatened at this time. I'm told other Flor For Service Reqions are sending resources
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Can see smoke plume from near 95 of reported 200 acre wildfire in clay county. I'm heading there now. pic.twitter.com/Ggk6pp586G
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
#breaking. No official cause yet. But officials say #decoyroadfire started near RR tracks. pic.twitter.com/g1BK8CXWMa
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
#DecoyRdFire, Green Cove Springs, 200 acres, caused by railroad, we are sending 3 dozers up to Clay County to assist pic.twitter.com/oY2Bc81jD2
— FFS Waccasassa (@FFS_Waccasassa) April 11, 2017
On US 17 getting closer to the #decoyrdfire pic.twitter.com/Drie8VRVpM
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Scout plane (top left) appears to be flying overhead. pic.twitter.com/Y1bbeUaW7W
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
People are preparing to evacuate. But officials say NO evacuation order has been given. pic.twitter.com/c9pLZLMuet
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Local wolf sanctuary preparing to evacuate small animals. Older animals will be put in safe underground dens. pic.twitter.com/GG9gr8r9vp
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Man made underground den wolves in sanctuary will go in. Wildfire is near this sanctuary. pic.twitter.com/XEC1JFvsXd
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
#DecoyRoadFire is estimated 350-400 acres & 35% contained 10 Forestry bull dozers are making good progress on building containment lines pic.twitter.com/C5roHTWLPZ
— FFS Jacksonville (@FFS_Jax) April 11, 2017
Putnam county, duval, sjc resources are here or heading this way I'm told. Winds calming and helping slow the spread. pic.twitter.com/odI04YtP66
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Staging area at Decoy Road baptist church. Smoke blowing towards us now. pic.twitter.com/2TK0pJK91w
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Clay county emergency manager meeting with deputies. No evacuations ordered at this time. Decoy road only road closed for now. pic.twitter.com/KVxfr7ti4N
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Ash starting to fall near us. We're are .25 miles away from the fire. #decoyrdfire. pic.twitter.com/K9xaUEmHQN
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
35% containment still. Lines around 70% of fire but it's spotting over the lines and are creating small spot fires. pic.twitter.com/AyqPvY7oiC
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
A look at the fire line. Chopper also on scene. pic.twitter.com/0z0g4NmsjZ
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Hot spot burning in scorched woods in clay county. pic.twitter.com/2jTx6lB9fo
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Hotspots and dust ups the story right now at the #decoyrdfire. 35% containment. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/CdaBcsJxF3
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
All roads back open. Extra firefighting resources being called off. No evacuations. #decoyrdfire pic.twitter.com/k7eNu195nm
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 11, 2017
Im told clay co wildfire about 55% contained. Between 300-400 acres burned. Crews will monitor through the night. Mop up tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/3zRZfJJYOI
— Cole Heath (@ColeHeathMSP) April 12, 2017
Cox Media Group




