Yesterday got notice of the wildfire at Five Mile Swamp. Our hearts go out to those affected and a giant THANK YOU to all the First Responders that are working so hard to get this fire contained. Here is the latest from Santa Rosa County. In case you want to keep up with the latest on where all the wildfires are and whether or not they are contained check out the interactive map from the Florida Forest Service
Five Mile Swamp Fire update - Thurs., May 7, 12 p.m.
Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters in coordination with Santa Rosa County Public Safety and area fire departments from Santa Rosa, Escambia and Okaloosa counties have been working to contain the Five Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County’s Garcon Point area.
- The fire is estimated to be 40% contained.
- The fire is estimated to cover 2,000 acres.
- Santa Rosa County in conjunction with the Florida Forest Service are still assessing the number of damaged structures and that information will be released as it is confirmed.
Evacuations
- Level 1 -Everything south of Mary Kitchens Road on Avalon and Garcon Point Road, and on the west side of Avalon is at a Level 1 evacuation, meaning residents can return to their homes but need tostay aware. Level 1 also extends up to Da Lisa Road.
- Level 2 -Indian Bayou to Mary Kitchens Road and the houses along Mary Kitchens Road are a Level 2 evacuation and may return to home butmust be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Citizen Information Center
The Santa Rosa County Citizen Information Center is open. Those who have evacuated or who have questions may call 850-983-INFO (4636).
Information on residences in the affected areas
- There are 1110 residential structures, including mobile and modular homes, single family residential homes, and guest houses, in the affected area Garcon Point south of I-10.
- Of those, 649 residences in the original evacuation area (east of Avalon, south of I-10).
- Of those, 366 residences in the area of most concern (east of Avalon, south of 10, and north of Mary Kitchens).
- Preliminary reports are that 18 structures have been affected.
- The Ski Watch subdivision north of I-10 and Garcon Point Road, with approximately 30 homes, is also an area of concern and those numbers are not included in the total.
Housing for livestock
Evacuated residents who need a place to house livestock may utilize the June Ates Arena/Agri-plex, 8604 Bobby Brown Rd. in Milton. Call Kyle Holley (850) 390-9808 for instructions.
Temporary sheltering at Milton Community Center
A shelter at the community center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton, is available for temporary sheltering. The county’s emergency management and tourist development office is coordinating with local lodging for sheltering that complies with social distancing recommendations.
Florida Forest Service update
- Today’s weather is somewhat improved from yesterday’s weather in that the winds will be light and variable from the north at three to seven m.p.h. However, relative humidity will continue to be extremely low at approximately 20%.
- Florida Forest Service crews from throughout the state have been called in to assist with the firefighting efforts. They will focus on improving established containment lines around the fire’s perimeter today in areas both north and south of Interstate 10. They will also conduct structure protection assessments to establish containment lines around homes and neighborhoods that could potentially be threatened by the fire.
- In light of these conditions, officials with the Blackwater Forestry Center are continuing to withhold burn authorizations in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
- Florida Forest Service Wildfire Dashboard -https://fdacs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/7c243720c87f4a3482db6ebf77efe99d
Gulf Power outage map
- Gulf Power is working as quickly as possible to restore power.
- Some power poles have been burned and will take longer to replace.
- Check theGulf Power Outage Mapfor updates.