Florida Wildfire Delays Amtrak Passengers Over 24 Hours

A large wildfire in Putnam County stranded an Amtrak train for more than a day. A Florida wildfire delayed Amtrak passengers for more than 24 hours, leaving travelers frustrated and confused.

What happened on the route

The train left Miami about 7 a.m. on Sunday bound for New York City. It stopped near Jacksonville around 3 p.m. that same day and remained halted for hours.

After roughly five hours, crew members told passengers the train would not continue north. The train then reversed course and returned to Miami about 9 p.m. Monday.

Passenger accounts

One traveler reported being aboard for about 38 hours before returning to Miami. He described passengers as angry and uncertain about the situation.

Another passenger said Amtrak sent a phone alert warning the wildfire was too close to the tracks. Several people on board said they saw heavy smoke and emergency vehicles nearby.

Fire conditions and response

Crews fought multiple blazes across two Florida counties. Firefighters battled flames that burned at least 3,000 acres.

Emergency teams and fire trucks were visible near the railway as the situation unfolded. Officials cited safety concerns when restricting train movement.

Amtrak’s statement and passenger remedies

Amtrak said the decision to halt northbound service prioritized customer safety. The company offered full refunds and travel vouchers to affected passengers.

Passengers expressed frustration over limited updates during the disruption. Rail officials and emergency responders continued coordinating as fires burned nearby.