Wildfire in Eastern Putnum, Florida

On April 19, 2026 around 530 PM EDT, Clay County EM reported a 100 acre wildfire in Green Cove Springs with 0% containment. Evacuations occurred at Varney Rd and Woodward Rd due to the wildfires located along Crews Rd in Clay County and north of Bostwick in Putnam County. The wildfires were 1700 acres combined between the two counties. On April 19, 2026 at 8 PM EDT, Putnam County WP reported a 700 acre wildfire in Palatka with a 5% containment. On April 20, the fire was at 1,000 acres with 5% containment. Amtrak and CSX trains were rerouted due to the wildfire near the railroad tracks. All lanes of US-17 were closed at 1512 US-17 in Palatka. The roadway was being used as a staging area for emergency response vehicles. On April 20 at 6 PM EDT, Florida Highway Patrol reported a Road Closure of US-17 and Varney Rd due to the ongoing Wildfire in Green Cove Springs. US-17 reopened later that evening. On April 21st, the Florida Forest Service decided to combine the Crews Rd Fire in southeast Clay County and the Railroad Fire in northeast Putnam County into the Railroad Complex Fire. The combined new total acreage was 4112 with a 50% containment. On April 28, the fire was at 4,796 acres with 80% containment. Breezy winds, extreme drought conditions, lack of beneficial rain, and dry fuels continued elevated fire activity through the month of April. The cause of the fires were believed to be from humans.

Extreme to exceptional drought continued or worsened for the majority of the region throughout the month of April. This, combined with many days of breezy to gusty wind conditions, resulted in a number of wildfires that continued through the end of the month.