Brush fire on UNF property: no threat to students, officials say

This article was updated at 6:37 p.m. on Feb. 10 to reflect updated information from UNF Police Chief stating the fire has been put out.

Multiple fire trucks responded to a brush fire on the University of North Florida’s property on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire has been extinguished, and forestry personnel are on scene to establish a fire line “just in case,” said UNF Police Chief Mackesy.

According to a university spokesperson, the fire was small and did not pose a threat to the campus.

Mackesy said the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but dry conditions can make ignition easy.

The greater Jacksonville area is currently experiencing a severe drought, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.

“It could’ve been anything. Everything is really dry right now,” said Mackesy.

Mackesy added that no campus alert was issued because the fire did not pose a risk to students or to the campus.

The incident is the second fire on UNF property in less than a week, following a vehicle fire in the Fine Arts Garage on Feb. 5.

Photo courtesy of UNFPD.

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