Five Mile Swamp Fire update - Thurs., May 7, 10:30 a.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 2,000-acre Five Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County’s Garcon Point area. The fire is still estimated to be 20% contained. 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. The evacuation orders in place will run through noon today and are in effect for all residents south of I-10 from Escambia Bay to Blackwater Bay.
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 the affected area
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
Red Cross is managing a shelter at the community center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton, 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.
Gulf Power outage map
Gulf Power is working as quickly as possible to restore power except for areas where power poles have burned. Check the Gulf Power Outage Map for updates.
Acy Lowery fire
The Acy Lowery fire in Pace is contained and no structure were affected by this fire.