HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — Fire officials say a wildfire that burned 120 acres is now contained, after threatening homes and businesses in Hernando Beach.
No injuries were reported, and no property was damaged, but at the height of the fire, that outcome seemed unlikely.
The fast-moving brush fire in the Weeki Wachee Preserve forced mandatory evacuations along the east side of Shoal Line Boulevard in Hernando Beach on Sunday evening. This comes after the burn ban that was lifted a few weeks ago.
WATCH: Hernando Beach wildfire contained after scary Sunday for business owners
Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR) said the blaze started just after 5:30 p.m. and was driven west by strong winds, prompting evacuations between Calienta Street and Osowaw Boulevard.
Yann Milcendeau described to Tampa Bay 28's Erik Waxler the scene outside his Hernando Beach restaurant and shared video of the flames moving through the area.
“It was a wall of fire right across here. Little tornadoes would form. Pick up all the ashes and dump it on us.”
Milcendeau said he and his team used every hose available to protect the Silver Dolphin as strong winds and drought conditions pushed the fire toward the business.
“Everything was so close, within minutes if we weren’t here we would have been gone.”
Images from Hernando County Fire Rescue showed flames from the air and ground as crews worked to contain the blaze.
Firefighters successfully protected all threatened structures, with no damage reported. The fire, estimated at 150 acres, was 20% contained and active as of 10:20 p.m. Sunday. Shoal Line Boulevard was closed to through traffic between Companero Entra and Hermosa Boulevard, with access limited to residents.
The evacuation order for Hernando Beach areas east of Shoal Line Boulevard was lifted as of 11:45 p.m. on Sunday.
Officials asked returning residents to use caution as smoke conditions still existed across Shoal Line Boulevard between Companaro Entra and Hermossa Boulevard.
Firefighters were on scene throughout the night, continuing fire control efforts, and officials said no structures are in danger or damaged.
By Monday, the area looked markedly different, with firefighters conducting mop-up operations to extinguish hot spots and smoldering areas that could reignite.
The fire brought back memories of a 2017 wildfire in Hernando Beach that burned hundreds of acres on Palm Sunday and threatened nearby businesses and First Baptist Church.
Milcendeau said that experience stayed with him.
“We said we'd better do something here, or we are going to lose the restaurant if it comes to the canal.
Other business owners also took action on Sunday.
Brian Alvarez, owner of Brian’s Place restaurant, recorded a video showing embers blowing through the air as the fire spread. He also shared a photo of a friend helping spray water from the roof to protect the building.
By the following day, residents returned to survey the damage and take photos, relieved the outcome was not worse.
“Everyone was out here doing what they could just to make sure everything was in order. You know the worst-case scenario. Hoping for the best,” said Morgan Malm, a local boat captain.
Hernando Beach, which was impacted by flooding from Hurricane Helene, avoided another major disaster. Restaurants in the area have reopened.
Fire officials said the cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.
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