On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, crews from Alachua County Fire Rescue, Florida Forest Service and the Melrose and Windsor fire departments received reports of a brush fire along County Road 2082, near Hawthorne.
At approximately 3:45 p.m., crews responded to multiple fires along the roadway. Witnesses reported that a vehicle with a flat tire traveled along CR 2082, with sparks from the wheel rim igniting fires along approximately one mile of roadway.
Upon arrival, first responders encountered numerous spot fires extending along the roadside and into the distance.
Firefighters acted quickly to contain the blaze. The Florida Forest Service established containment lines, while fire crews worked to extinguish the fires and prevent further spread.
No injuries were reported.
Alachua County Fire Rescue reminds residents that the county remains under a burn ban and urges the public to exercise extreme caution to help prevent additional fires.
For more information, contact ACFR Battalion Chief Alex Porgesz at 352-494-9441 or aporgesz@alachuacounty.us.
