A fast-moving brush fire chewed through roughly 400 acres north of Jacksonville on Friday night, throwing a thick column of smoke over Nassau County and prompting voluntary evacuations. Crews with the Florida Forest Service and Nassau County Fire Rescue worked into the night to keep the flames from reaching nearby properties, while neighbors reported heavy equipment and aircraft overhead as firefighters focused on containment.
By late evening, about 25 percent of the blaze was under control, according to WSVN 7News. The outlet reported that crews brought in additional tractor plows and a reconnaissance aircraft to help box in the fire. Officials cautioned residents to expect smoke in the area and brief traffic interruptions while suppression work continued…