Smoke still a hazard for motorists

Historic City News continues to monitor the ongoing problems associated with recent and recurring wildfires in St. Johns County.

In a section of US-1 South, between DuPont Center (SR-206) and I-95, the smoldering remains of one wildfire that jumped the roadway and consumed an estimated 1,300 acres of timber in its wake, continues to generate smoke and hazardous conditions for motorists in the area.

Firefighters persistently battle re-kindled flames and new outbreaks, aggravated by incessant drought conditions.

Teams of fire personnel from St. Johns and Flagler counties as well as the Florida Division of Forestry, remain “on-alert and engaged” according to updates received at Historic City News.

St. Johns County Sheriff’s spokesman, Sergeant Charles E. Mulligan, informed local reporters that “Personnel will continue to monitor the site for the potential of future road closures, if needed.”

When traveling around the county in areas where recent blazes have flared, The Florida Highway Patrol advises that it is a good idea to decelerate to accommodate changing road and visibility conditions, use low-beam headlights or fog lights to increase your visibility to others and to watch for signals from troopers or other law enforcement officers if detours or road closures are established.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer