Shed and brush fires contained in Hernando
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Hernando, Florida — At 5:17 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to a location on N. Heidi Dr. in Hernando due to a report of two sheds on fire, and the grass surrounding the two sheds also catching fire. First responders arriving on scene confirmed these reports.
Two hose lines were used to quickly bring the brush and shed fires under control at 5:31 pm. They were fully extinguished. Crews completed mop-up operations, ensuring no additional hazards remained. The last unit cleared the scene at 6:40 pm.
The resident told officials that he'd set a burn pile on fire and went inside his residence, and later discovered that the wind had driven the fire to the sheds. He said he'd unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden hose, then placed a 911 call. The fire also spread to an approximately quarter-acre grass field.
The resident was provided with the state burn rules prior to departure and advised to monitor the area throughout the night and to call fire rescue if he had any concerns.
The two sheds, one 8 by 6 feet and the other 20 feet by 12 feet, were completely destroyed along with their contents, which included family items, baseball cards, tools, and ammunition. The estimated total loss was $8,000. The sheds were uninsured.
No injuries were reported.
The Florida Forest Service administers Florida’s outdoor burning and forest fire laws. Make sure you meet the required setbacks, don’t burn on windy days, and NEVER leave a fire unattended. Learn more at this link: https://floridadep.gov/air/permitting-compliance/content/open-burning.
Check with your local Florida Forest Service Office to find out if there are any restrictions in your area. Find your service office here: https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/Florida-Forest-Service-Office-Locations/Field-Office-Locations-and-Contacts.
Firefighters from the Hernando, Highlands, Citrus Springs, Kensington, and Pine Ridge fire stations arrived on scene, along with a safety captain and a rescue unit.
In the event of a fire within Citrus County, Florida, call 911.
For information about Citrus County Fire Rescue, visit www.citruscountyfire.com.