Weeki Wachee Preserve Brush Fire 40% Contained: Fire Officials

HERNANDO BEACH, FL — A brush fire in the Weeki Wachee Preserve that prompted mandatory evacuations for some residents and businesses nearby was 40 percent contained on Monday morning, just before 7 a.m., the Florida Forest Service Withlacoochee Forestry Center wrote in a social media post.

Firefighters from Florida Forest Service and Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to the Hernando Beach brush fire on Sunday just after 5:30 p.m. They found a large brush fire rapidly moving west towards Shoal Line Boulevard.

Though they aggressively attacked the fire, strong winds drove the flames through multiple fire stops, threatening the businesses on the east side of Shoal Line Boulevard between Catalina Street and Hermosa Boulevard, HCFR said in a social media post.

This prompted a mandatory evacuation order for all homes and businesses on the east side of Shoal Line Boulevard between Calienta Street and Osowaw Boulevard just before 8 p.m. This order was lifted around 11:45 p.m.

No injuries have been reported, officials said. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.

Firefighers remain at the scene Monday working to get it fully under control

“No structures are threatened or damaged. The wildfire is still active and visible smoke [can be seen] along Shoal Line Boulevard. Please use caution when driving in the area for your safety and firefighters,” Florida Forest Service wrote.