Update(7:54 p.m.): The fire is now 100 percent contained.
Update(5:55 p.m.): US 19 is back open in Hernando County. The fire is 90 percent contained.
Original Story:
A 40 acre brush fire has shut down U.S. 19 in Hernando County. According to Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the brush fire started around 2:30 p.m. Saturday near Parakeet Road in Weeki Wachee.
The Division of Forestry has been dispatched to assist in the fire. Forestry is reporting that 80 percent of the fire is contained on the east side of U.S. 19 and is still burning on the west side.
One structure was required to be evacuated by rescue crews according to Hernando County Fire Rescue. At this time no structures are threatened. Forestry is reporting that they have put “lines” around structures as a precaution.
U.S. 19 remains closed from Knuckey Road north to the Hernando/ Citrus County line.
