A brush fire in Oviedo burned dozens of acres Monday and Seminole County fire crews issued voluntary evacuations for homes in the Black Hammock Wilderness Area.
- 63 acres burned by brush fire in Black Hammock Wilderness Area
- Fire crews protecting 8 homes
“I saw some smoke and ash that was starting to drop, and went up and down, and went up and down, and saw there was a significant fire coming right at us," said Roger Butcher.
Butcher lives on Genova road and he could see the flames from his property Monday morning.
The brush fire has burned 63 acres and is about 25 percent contained. It's located in the area of Genova Drive, on the southeast end of the Black Hammock Wilderness Area off County Road 426 (Geneva Drive).
“Of course it’s concerning, we have a wood house in the middle of the woods. It could happen, but you can’t just sit there and be worried, you have to start prepping and do what you can," said Butcher.
Fire crews will continue to monitor and actively fight the fire Monday into Tuesday. Two issues with battling this fire are the grassy conditions in the area and the wind.
“The fuel load that we have out here, it’s a swampy area back in there, and just the wind conditions today,” said Lt. Paula Thompson, Seminole County Fire Department.
Fire crews are protecting eight homes along Genova Drive and Onadago Drive.