MARION COUNTY -  A brush fire, spanning 300-hundred acres, has forced some Marion County residents to evacuate.

The Florida Highway Patrol has closed the area surrounding State Road 19 from State Road 40 to the Salt Springs area near County Road 314 for smoke and fog visibility issues.         

Approximately 15 homes were in danger at the fire's outbreak.

Motorists are reminded to reduce their speed and utilize low beam headlights in order to adapt to changing weather conditions.