MCFR UPDATE: Road closures in NW Marion County due to fire


[Photo courtesy Marion County Fire Rescue Facebook page]

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Posted October 10, 2025 | Staff report

UPDATE: October 10, 2025: **MCFR Responds to Large Land Clearing Fire**

At 10:10 p.m. last night, Marion County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the 8500 block of NW Gainesville Road for reports of a permitted land clearing operation that had gotten out of control.
Golden Ocala Station #20 arrived on scene at 10:19 p.m. to find a large pile of land clearing debris fully engulfed in flames. Additional crews from North Marion Station #11, Anthony Station #1, Shady Station #16, Citra Station #2, Majestic Oaks Station #23, and Orange Lake Station #9 responded to assist with containment efforts.
Firefighters are worked diligently to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the original property. No injuries have been reported to firefighters or civilians at this time. The cause and origin of the fire’s spread remain under investigation.

ORIGINAL POST: A permitted, approximately 40-acre, commercial burn site of tree debris at the 8500 block of NW Gainesville Road has become uncontrolled and caused road closure from Highway 326 north to 100th Street due to heavy smoke reducing visibility, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office is reporting.

School bus routes along Gainesville Road are affected as well as access to Fessenden Elementary School, according to the post on the MCSO Facebook page. All students and staff from Fessenden Elementary are being redirected to North Marion Middle School.

“Please avoid the area as firefighters work to extinguish the fire and be aware of smoky conditions potentially affecting I-75,” notes the post.

The Marion County Fire Rescue FB page states, “Please use caution and avoid the area while crews address the situation. We will provide updates as soon as the road reopens.”

Marion County Public Schools posted on its FB page around 7:23: Important update for Fessenden Elementary School families:

Roads leading to Fessenden Elementary are currently blocked due to fire crews responding to a nearby fire, NOT on campus.

All bus routes and student drop-offs are being redirected to North Marion Middle School, where students will remain safely until roads reopen. Staff are on-site to assist and ensure students are cared for.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Law enforcement officials work at the intersection of Highway 326 and Gainesville Road in northwest Marion County on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. Gainesville Road was closed due to a fire in the 8500 block. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

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