Southwest fire threatens neighborhoods

May 12, 2008

Coquina Crossing fire
Smoke filled a large portion of downtown St. Augustine yesterday as firefighters brought brush fires under control in the area of Vermont Heights that were threatening Coquina Crossing and adjacent neighborhoods.

Fueled by high winds and dry conditions, St. Johns County firefighters brought in heavy equipment to battle the blaze whose source is still under investigation this morning.

According to one resident, who was one of many who found themselves directly downwind, smelling the smoke, his suspicions were of a wildfire were confirmed when a fire truck went roaring down his street. “I looked out to see what it was coming from. It looked close and my I grabbed my camera, jumped in the golf cart and found the above scene in the tree line along Las Nubes.”

Across the pond, to the east on Coquina Crossing drive, was a fire truck spraying the trees in the wetland area. The wind, which was gusting 35mph to 40mph, had blown burning ash in to the brush and ignited it. This posed an immediate threat to the homes on Mercado and Tierra Verde and the deputies were busy asking people to evacuate according to a blog report for the community.

Written by AuggieNewsHound · Filed Under Growth

Comments

One Response to “Southwest fire threatens neighborhoods”

Freddy on May 12th, 2008 11:16 am

Coquina Daily, the homeowners community blog at Coquina Crossing, is publishing the following photos that were taken as the fires were winding down yesterday.

Historic City Media has not verified the statements attributed to the residents who commented in the blog, however, the photographs give a closer view of the playground area that is suspected as a possible point of origin in yesterday’s brush fires.

Tom was also out getting photographs, until he was denied access. He found the point of origin of the fire - a playground in Vermont Heights - and was told the fire was started by children playing with matches. Thanks Tom, for sending your photos.

Once the smoke seemed to be dying down and I could see increased residential traffic, I ventured out again. There were three hot spots the firefighters were continuing to work on, but the fire was under control. A PSA officer told me, “We know who started the fire and he’s in a heap-a-trouble.” I heard of no injuries nor loss of property.