PAISLEY -- As a brush fire burns over 1,000 acres in Lake County, residents of more than 60 homes near the blaze were allowed to return about 24 hours after they had to flee the flames.
Officials said more residents of homes in the Deerhaven area north of Orlando were told to evacuate Wednesday because fire officials were afraid the residents would be cut off from an escape path to the main road if the fire turned. The Red Cross sheltered 21 evacuees at the First Baptist Church of Paisley overnight and fed 250 evacuees, support personnel and emergency responders.
The fire has been 20 percent contained. Firefighters are being helped on Thursday with increase humidity, lower winds and some off-and-on rain. The blaze is located near Jane Lane and Forest Road 539, which is near State Road 42 in Paisley.
The only road that remained closed as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday was Forest Road 539.
"As dry as we are, we're 42, 43 days without any rain the KBDI is about 644. So we're real dry. We're a tinder box right now, and I'm sure you've heard that. You've seen the stuff going on in the news. We've got a big holiday weekend coming up so we're on pins and needles right now," said Mike Drayton from the Division of Forestry.
Right now, crews are letting the fire burn towards the St. Johns River to try and stop it.
No homes are in any immediate danger.
Smoke From Fire Invades Volusia Co.
Volusia County said the phones have been ringing off the hook at its 911 center because of the fire in Paisley.
The heavy smoke from the Paisley fire was so large, it showed up on Digital Doppler X3.
A portion of the DeLand area in Volusia County was covered with a blanket of smoke.
However, fire crews said no fires are currently burning in the county and residents should only call 911 if they see flames or smoke shooting upward from the ground.
Lake County issued a health advisory connected with the smoke.
Shelter Opened For Evacuees
A shelter was set up at the First Baptist Church of Paisley for those forced out by the fire.
The church, along with the Red Cross, helped the evacuees with items such as shelter and food.
Those who rushed to the shelter said all the help is appreciated.
"You have to get out. Everyone must evacuate. So, we got everything we could, got the car and left the scotch at home," said Michael Armaly, an evacuee.
Buses were brought in Thursday morning to make sure students staying at the shelter had a way to get to school.
The Lake County Citizens Information Line is now open to assist anyone with questions. It can be reached at (352) 253-9999.
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