WEEKI WACHEE — A brush fire near the Hernando and Citrus County line has been contained and U.S. 19 reopened, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The fire was reported at 2:22 p.m. near Parakeet Road, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. U.S. 19 was closed from Knuckey Road north to where Hernando and Citrus County meet. It reopened around 5:50 p.m., according to FHP.
Deputies had encouraged drivers planning to travel north on U.S. 19 to take an alternate route. The fire had "jumped several roads," according to a Sheriff's Office release, as crews worked to squelch the flames. Deputies said a few homeowners had voluntarily evacuated their homes, but no structures were in danger,