Things just keep getting worse in Columbia County. A firefighter was airlifted to Shands at Lake Shore after he fell off a 9-foot roof while sweeping away leaves, pine needles and other debris in the fire zone, breaking his leg.

Firefighters are going to make a stand and try to keep the fire from crossing over west of Highway 441, but if they can't contain the fire it could burn the town of Deep Creek.

But with the fire only being a mile and a half away from Highway 441, fire officials are already letting more residents know they might have to evacuate their homes at any time.

"Treat this as if a hurricane was coming," says Harvey Campbell, PIO, Columbia Co. Emergency Management. "Get prescriptions, get personal hygiene products, clothes, important papers and be ready on very short notice to evacuate the area if the fire does jump."

Columbia County High School has opened a shelter and officials say they will open additional shelters if needed.

By Nathalie Pozo, WCJB TV20 News