9 PM UPDATE: Florida Forest Service Battling 2,000-acre Five Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Forest Service continues to battle a 2,000-acre wildfire in Santa Rosa County, and is asking motorists and residents to remain clear of the area. The agency also continues to battle a 575-acre wildfire in Walton County.

Five Mile Swamp Fire: A wildfire broke out on the afternoon of Monday, May 4, and has grown ten times in size since yesterday morning, aided by high winds and extremely low humidity. The Florida Forest Service has deployed its Blue Incident Management Team, 18 tractor plow units, and multiple fixed wing aircraft and helicopter units to battle the blaze. Multiple local fire departments have also responded to the fire. Tonight’s operation plan is to hold, control, and monitor existing fire containment lines and, when safe, improve control lines where needed. The State of Florida has requested Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) aid from FEMA. A map of the fire-impacted area may be viewed here.

Containment: As of 9:00 PM ET, the fire remains estimated at 2,000 acres and 35 percent contained. Winds upwards of 20 mph had earlier driven embers across Interstate 10. Approximately 17 structures have been lost to the fire.

Evacuations: Recommended evacuations remain in effect for portions of the Garcon Point peninsula south of I-10. A map of evacuated areas with restricted access may be found here. Santa Rosa County has established emergency shelters. Residents seeking shelter should contact Santa Rosa County at 850-983-INFO.

Road Closures: At the current time, I-10 remains closed between Exit 22 at Avalon Boulevard and Exit 31 at Highway 37, per the Florida Highway Patrol.

“This remains an extremely dangerous and evolving wildfire situation, so everyone in the affected area should follow directions from state and local officials,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, whose Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services includes the Florida Forest Service. “All residents and travelers should heed evacuation requests and closely monitor the media for updates on the wildfire and reopening of I-10 and local roads. We thank our brave local and wildland firefighters for continuing to work swiftly to control this wildfire.”

Press Conference: Video from today’s press conference with Commissioner Fried and state and local officials may be viewed here.

Video/Photos: Video and photos from the Five Mile Swamp and Mussett Bayou wildfires can be found here as well as on Twitter and on Facebook.

Mussett Bayou Fire: Florida Forest Service firefighters continue battling a wildfire in Walton County. As of 9:00 PM EST, the fire is estimated at 575 acres and is 70 percent contained. The Florida Forest Service has deployed 15 tractor plow units and 2 engines, and is also working with local fire departments; 2 additional dozer strike teams have also been deployed. Approximately 500 residents had been evacuated. Evacuations have been lifted and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is escorting homeowners into the affected area. The State of Florida has requested FEMA FMAG assistance.

Media with questions regarding the Five Mile Swamp Fire should contact Florida Forest Service local PIO Joe Zwierzchowski at 850-206-2675. Media with questions regarding the Mussett Bayou Fire should contact Florida Forest Service local PIO Steve Weherley at 850-625-6621. Updates may also be found on Twitter at @FFS_Blackwater, @FFS_Chipola, @FLForestService, and @FDACS.

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