News 12 @ 11 o'clock -- July 1, 2009

Augusta, Ga. --- As fire crews worked to keep flare ups down, people living near Ft. Gordon's gate one waited to see what would happen to their homes.

"Maybe I'll have to leave. Maybe I might have to lose my house," said Ben Zupancic who was heading for vacation when he realized the fire was burning so close."I actually didn't know until everybody started pulling in. I heard sirens and I was like okay, something's happened. I didn't know there was a fire that close to my home,"said Ben.

Fire crews evacuated families in the Belfair Lakes community as the smoke filled the air. But brush fires aren't new to Maria Gonzalez. She says she used to live in California and says these ashes don't compare to what she's seen.

"I've been through this before where all the ashes covered the whole driveway, cars everything else. It's scary,"said Maria Gonzalez.

And with the fourth of July right around the corner, fire fighters are telling people to be extra careful when burning outside and when lighting up their fireworks.

"Especially with the winds on a day like today, the weather is really dry out here. It don't take much to get a fire going,"said Augusta/Richmond Battalion Chief Richard Burts.

And as fire crews continue to make sure the fire's out, people are relieved they still have a place to call home.

"I'm just glad they've got it under control and I hope it stays that way because I don't want to lose my home for sure,"said Maria.

"Everybody be careful what they do. Be mindful and don't take nothing for granted,"said Batt.Chief Burts.

Fort Gordon officials say at no point were homes in any immediate danger. People were evacuated from their homes as a safety precaution because of all the smoke at the time.

Investigators are still looking into where the fire started on base and what actually caused it. But we'll continue to follow the story and bring you the latest.