GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Fire crews from Clay and Putnam Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service continued to attack the "unpredictable" Railroad Wildfires in southern Clay and northern Putnam counties Tuesday morning, with hundreds of exhausted responders obtaining 80% containment.

The Crews Road Fire in Clay County and the Railroad Complex Fire in Putnam County combined late Monday, April 20, and early Tuesday. By Monday, the fire expanded to 4,796 acres. Calmer winds for the third consecutive day allowed firefighters to continue battling the blaze from Sweat Road east of U.S. Highway 17 into Putnam County from land and air.

Crews now are shifting to mopping up hotspots by spraying water and using tractors to plow containment lines.

The Clay fire was started by sparks from railcars passing along the train tracks on Sunday, April 19, afternoon, according to CCFR.

The Florida Highway Patrol continued to warn motorists on U.S. 17 of smokey conditions and of a large presence of emergency vehicles between Palatka and Green Cove Springs.

Conditions improved enough where the popular Touch-A-Truck: Saluting Those Who Serve and the Annual Bostwick Blueberry Festival in Palatka proceeded as scheduled on Saturday. However, crews were so overworked, units from the Orange County (Orlando area) Fire Rescue served at the blueberry festival.

Clay County Fire Chief Lorin Mock still warned of the dangerous conditions, especially with the threat of gusty winds that put his agency on the defense during the first 24 hours.

The Forest Service said it immediately deployed “63 personnel, 36 dozers, 10 engines, two fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters responding to this fire. Federal resources included three VLATS (Very Large Air Tankers), scoopers and air attack.”

The six fixed airplanes dropped retardant and water on the fire line since Monday morning. Mock asked residents avoid the area of U.S. 17 and on the St. Johns River south of Mile Marker 24 at Bayard Point because planes were scooping water from the river and dumping it on the flames.

The sheriff’s office also warned onlookers against flying drones around the St. Johns River or near the fire because it could hamper with the response. And to minimize the effects of the smoke for those with breathing problems, residents were encouraged to use the recirculate air setting on their air conditioners and to remain inside.

According to the Forest Service's Dr. Ludie Bond, the airplanes made 188 scoops and drops on Tuesday, with each drop containing 1,600 gallons of water. A helicopter also joined the response by dropping buckets of water on the blaze.

Mock said the Railroad Wildfire came earlier than May, considered the heart of the wildfire season.

The extreme drought is regarded as one of the worst in recorded history. So far, Clay County is nearly seven inches below average this year, and dating back to Aug. 25, it's been the driest stretch since 1871. And with El Niño conditions, drought conditions could last throughout the summer.

Clay County opened a call center for questions related to the Crews Road Fire. The number is (877) 252-9362. If there is an emergency, however, callers are reminded to dial 911.

For information on air quality in your area, visit airnow.gov, while the website bewildfirereadyfl.com has information to see if your property is wildfire prepared.

Clay County Fire Rescue, Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management and the Florida Forest Service asked for donated prepackaged food, snacks, water and sports drinks, on Tuesday, and the agencies said they were overwhelmed by the response.

In two days, thousands of bottles of water, including several pallets from Niagara Bottling in Middleburg, were delivered to the Cattlemen’s Arena at the Clay County Fairgrounds, as well as more than a half a ton of snacks and prepackaged food. With so much already collected, the county reported donations are no longer needed.

The Family Church of Green Cove Springs delivered 100 hot meals to responders, and G’s Slow Smoked BBQ served meals from his food truck at the staging area.

On Sunday, April 26, the forestry department coordinated with Skylar Davis, the owner of Dalton’s Sports Grill and Bar, for a discounted purchase of 40 pork chops and 40 steak tips dinners to be distributed to firefighters.

Responders also were grateful for dozens of cards created by residents, including students, thanking them for their diligent work.

Donations were also accepted in the lobby of the Orange Park Police Department.

Clay Today will remain in touch with CCFR and Clay County Emergency Management for updates. Residents can also visit Clay County Fire Rescue’s Facebook page for updates.

The wildfire started three days after County Manager Howard Wanamaker issued a countywide burn ban because of the extreme drought conditions. Anyone caught burning anything outdoors (other than a charcoal grill) outside the city or town limits of Green Cove Springs, Penney Farms, Keystone Heights and Orange Park could be cited for a second-degree misdemeanor and fined.