Wildfire Smoke Reroutes School Buses in Putnam County

Sargent Fire smoke closes Keuka Road, forces school bus reroutes in Putnam County

Wildfire Smoke Closes Keuka Road, Reroutes Buses

School buses in Putnam County won't travel through a section of Keuka Road as smoke from the Sargent Fire reduces visibility to dangerous levels. The wildfire burning near the Florida-Georgia line has prompted Putnam County Schools to adjust routes, with officials urging parents not to leave children alone at bus stops as conditions change rapidly. The fire, estimated at approximately 2,712 acres, is currently 50% contained.

Fire Containment Efforts Continue

Emergency crews from the Georgia Forestry Commission and Florida Forest Service are working together using heavy and medium dozers to build and reinforce containment lines, particularly on the western side of the fire. Trace rainfall has fallen in parts of the fire area, but officials warn it won't be enough to extinguish the blaze. Forecasters indicate that winds could test containment lines along the southwest edge if rainfall remains limited. No structures are currently threatened by the fire, officials said.

Multiple Road Closures in Effect

Keuka Road in Putnam County is closed between Strickland and Como Circle due to low visibility from smoke. Georgia Highway 94 and Florida Highway 2 are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., but overnight closures remain in effect due to reduced visibility from smoke and fog. Drivers are advised to use extra caution in smoky conditions by slowing down, using low beams, and treating the smoke like fog. Officials haven't said when full 24-hour access will resume on the highways.

School Route Changes Implemented

Putnam County Schools announced that buses will not travel through the affected section of Keuka Road until visibility improves. Parents are urged not to leave children alone at bus stops as conditions may change quickly and routes could be adjusted with little notice. Officials didn't provide a specific timeline for when normal bus routes will resume. The district said it's monitoring conditions closely and will communicate any additional changes to families.

Riders Should Monitor Conditions

Parents and commuters should expect continued disruptions as firefighting efforts progress and smoke conditions fluctuate. Officials said they'll continue monitoring the situation closely, though they haven't specified when roads will fully reopen or when school bus routes will return to normal schedules. Moovit provides real-time updates on road closures and transit disruptions affecting the Florida-Georgia border region.