Wildfires burning Florida’s Panhandle, and Miami, Broward and Keys all under warning
A wildfire that has already consumed some 2,000 acres in Northwest Florida, led to the evacuation of more than 1,500 residences, and spawned a second 575-acre blaze in the Panhandle, shows little sign of yielding.
Despite three days of effort, the Florida Forest Service continues to battle the largest of the wildfires fires in Santa Rosa County since it first erupted Monday afternoon.
The five-mile swamp fire grew 10 times in size since Wednesday morning, according to Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nicole Fried on Thursday.
The flames, fueled by high winds and extremely low humidity, could continue to plague the area for at least another day given that rain isn’t expected in Santa Rosa until Friday night when the National Weather Service in Tallahassee forecasts a 50% chance.
Fighting the wildfire
To try and get a handle on this blaze — and a second 575-acre wildfire in Walton County — the Florida Forest Service has called out its Blue Incident Management Team, used 18 tractor plow units, and deployed multiple fixed wing aircraft and helicopter units to battle the blaze.
Many local fire departments have also pitched in and the state has requested aid from FEMA, Fried’s office said.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimated Thursday that about 35% of the Santa Rosa blaze has been contained but embers, cast aloft by winds of 20 mph, cascaded onto nearby Interstate 10.
The Florida Highway Patrol closed a stretch of the road between Exit 22 at Avalon Boulevard and Exit 31 at Highway 37.
About 12 structures have been lost, Fried said. Nearby residents have been asked to evacuate.
“This is an extremely dangerous and fast-moving wildfire situation that is evolving rapidly, so everyone in the affected area should follow directions from state and local officials,” she said.
It’s not just the Panhandle that needs to be on guard.
South Florida fire warnings
The National Weather Service in Miami issued a red flag warning for critical fire weather conditions in South Florida, including Monroe County, as well as Collier County due to low relative humidity and winds near 15 mph.
The greatest risk is across inland Palm Beach, metro and inland areas of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, along with Collier and mainland Florida Keys. A fire weather is also in effect for Hendry, Glades and the immediate coastal area of east-coast counties, the National Weather Service in Miami said.
Saturday night brings a 60% chance of rain to South Florida, rising to 90% on Mother’s Day Sunday.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 3:56 PM.
