Melrose Fire Department-Florida

05/31/2026

With the upcoming Hurricane Season upon us please take steps to have a plan, be prepared, and you can use the website below to get information on Hurricane Preparedness.

05/27/2026

The burn bans in Alachua County, Putnam County, and Bradford County have been lifted. You must still burn in according to the burning laws of Florida Forest Service and please burn responsibly.

05/13/2026

Despite the current rainfall we are still under a burn ban and the KBDI is still elevated, and we are in drought conditions as you can see be the lake levels in our area.

ALACHUA COUNTY:

The current Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Alachua County is 672, indicating a high risk for wildland fire spread. Approximately 89% of the county has a KBDI between 601–700, while 11% falls within the highest range of 701–800. These conditions place the county at an elevated risk for rapidly spreading wildland fires. A mandatory countywide burn ban remains in effect through May 16, 2026.

PUTNAM COUNTY:

Burn Ban Extended in Unincorporated Putnam County 🚫

Although recent rainfall has provided some relief, Putnam County remains under severe drought conditions, and wildfire risk continues to pose a significant threat. As a result, the burn ban in the unincorporated areas of Putnam County has been extended from May 12 through May 18, 2026.

Open burning is prohibited during this period, and violations are considered a criminal infraction. Preventing avoidable fires helps ensure Fire Rescue personnel remain available to respond to emergencies where lives and property are at immediate risk.

The following activities are prohibited during the burn ban:
• Burning yard debris or trash
• Use, sale, or discharge of fireworks and flares
• Discarding ci******es or other smoking materials outdoors or from vehicles
• Parking vehicles in dry grass or other areas where heat from the vehicle could ignite vegetation

Even with recent rain, dry conditions remain below the surface, and fires can still ignite and spread rapidly. By following these restrictions, residents can help reduce unnecessary calls for service, limit wildfire risk, and protect the firefighters working to keep Putnam County safe.

To report concerns, call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at (386) 329-0800. If there is a fire threatening a structure or posing an immediate danger, call 911 immediately.

Putnam County appreciates the public’s cooperation and continued support in helping protect our community and first responders.

05/04/2026

Melrose Fire Rescue Department wants to thank all firefighters for their service to the community including our own. Happy International Firefighters Day TEAM!

05/04/2026

Alachua and Putnam Counties still under a burn ban.

🔥🚫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐧 🔥🚫

After reviewing Alachua County’s current wildland fire conditions and in consultation with state officials, the mandatory countywide burn ban has been extended and will remain in effect through May 8, 2026.

Alachua County remains under a State of Emergency declaration due to multiple active wildfires throughout the county. Continued historic drought conditions and the lack of rainfall over the past week have increased the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) levels, sustaining a high wildfire risk across the county. The KBDI is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers.

Alachua County’s KBDI levels remain among the highest in the state, along with several neighboring counties. An estimated 11% of Alachua County falls within the highest KBDI range of 701-800, while 89% of Alachua County falls within the second-highest range of 601–700. These levels indicate extreme dryness, extreme fire danger, and the potential for rapid fire spread. Under these conditions, fires can burn intensely, pe*****te deep into the ground and produce significant downwind spotting.

Dry soils, stressed vegetation and elevated fire danger have created hazardous conditions countywide. While some rain is forecast for the weekend, it is unlikely to be widespread and won’t have a significant effect on the fire danger. As a result, the countywide burn ban remains in effect and residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and report any active fire immediately.

The burn ban prohibits all unauthorized open burning, including:
🔸 Campfires and bonfires
🔸 Unpermitted controlled burns
🔸 Burning yard or household trash
🔸 Burning construction or organic debris
🔸 Igniting fireworks

Only limited exemptions apply, such as the use of small barbecue grills or activities conducted under a valid state-issued burn authorization.

Officials emphasize that unauthorized burning during the ban is illegal. Anyone who violates the burn ban may be held financially liable for all damages caused by a resulting fire, including the full costs of wildfire suppression and extinguishment efforts. These costs can be substantial.

Residents are urged to:
🔸 Fully comply with the countywide burn ban.
🔸 Avoid any activity that could create sparks or open flames.
🔸 Properly extinguish and dispose of ci******es and smoking materials.
🔸 Report smoke or wildfires immediately by calling 911. Early reporting can prevent a small fire from becoming a major wildfire.

Conditions will continue to be monitored closely, and updates will be provided as needed. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by texting ALACHUA to 888-777 or visiting AlertAlachua.com.

Read the burn ban order: tinyurl.com/5n77cs6a

04/20/2026

LAST UPDATE TODAY:

The community has been very generous, and we are over capacity of the items requested. We do not need anymore items at this time and have plenty to get out tomorrow to the front lines fighting the fires in Alachua, Clay, Bradford, and Putnam Counties. I will make a new post when more items are needed. Thank you all for your super support of the firefighters in the area.

UPDATE: 16:00 HOURS:
We have more water now than we can store. Your donations have been very generous, and we will continue to get what we have to the front lines. We can still take snacks that can tolerate heat in the trucks but we are good on water and gator aid now. Thank you.

UPDATE: Monday at 12:00-
We have received overwhelming cases of water and gatoraid. MFRD just loaded 50 cases for Alachua County Fire Crews and 50 cases for Putnam County fire crews. We cannot store any other water at this time but will continue to accept snacks that can stand some heat to keep on our trucks while they are out working. Thank you all for your support and Thank you to Haskell Steel Division for the donation of 30 cases!

Melrose Station 24 will accept donations for firefighters fighting the area fires. It WILL go directly to the firefighters on the front line. Donations accepted are bottled water, gatoraid/sports drinks, chap stick, sunscreen, bandanas, work gloves, gift cards for area restaurants can also be accepted to have meals ready when they need them. Nothing else is needed as of now. Thank you for those reaching out to help.

04/20/2026

04/20/2026

04/20/2026

is 1000 acres and 5% contained in Putnam County. Even though the fire is 1 mile east of US Hwy 17, smoke signs are still required on US Hwy 17 due to smoke drifting that way.

In Clay County, the fire area is 1700 acres and 0% contained.

04/20/2026

NO outdoor burning! NO permits being issued. Please only call 911 if you see flames as the smoke is going to be in the area for a while.