55 Acre Wildfire in Holt Destroys One Horse Trailer and Damages Second One (with video)

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Holt, Fla — On Thursday, March 28, 2024, a wildfire broke out in the vicinity of John Melvin Road and Fire Lane Rd, just North of Holt, FL.

According to reports from the homeowner and the public information office for the Florida Department of Forestry, the wildfire reached the back side of 5086 John Melvin Road at approximately 3:40 PM.

The homeowner stated the fire destroyed approximately 10 acres of timberland. One horse trailer was completely destroyed in the blaze while a second horse trailer, that his daughter had just won in a rodeo competition, was severely damaged. The homeowner was able to move a tractor that was located next to the horse trailers before the fire reached the area.

The Holt Volunteer Fire Department responded with one engine and a water truck while the Department of Forestry responded with two Dozers. The homeowner did say if it wasn’t for the Holt Fire Department responding quickly, the fire would most likely have destroyed a barn, his residence and who knows what else.

The homeowner believes the fire originated on the North side of Penny Creek where a prescribed burn was taken

place, jumped the creek spreading South and came directly into his back yard.

According to a spokesman from the Department of Forestry, there were several prescribed burns in the area.

The incident has been turned over to The Florida Department of Agricultures’ Law Enforcement Division to investigate the cause of the wildfire.