Historic Drought Fuels Railroad Fire in Clay County, Florida
The Railroad Fire in Clay and Putnam counties, Florida, has burned over 4,000 acres and is only 50% contained. The fire is exacerbated by historic drought conditions, which are the driest in 25 years according to Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan. Fire crews are employing dozers, helicopters, drones, and airtankers to combat the flames, but high winds and dry vegetation are making containment efforts challenging. Officials warn that the peak fire season is yet to come, typically occurring at the end of May, and the absence of rain in the forecast suggests that these conditions could persist for 8 to 10 weeks or longer. 
