Bertha Swamp fire growing, evacuation orders lifted for Adkins Ave./Star Ave. fires

NORTHWEST FLORIDA — Today, the Florida Forest Service (FFS) announced the Chipola Complex, which encompasses three wildfires, has grown to more than 29,200 acres as dry, windy weather persists in the region and fire danger levels remain elevated.

Over the last few days, gusty winds have picked up in the early afternoon and lasted through the evening, causing erratic fire behavior. Weather conditions today are no different and forced additional evacuations in Calhoun County.

While the weather forecast in the coming days calls for a possibility for rain, it will not be enough to decrease the wildfire threat any time soon, especially in the Hurricane Michael-impact area.

There are currently more than 70 tractor-plow units and 10 air assets, including 2 FFS helicopters, 1 FFS fixed-wing aircraft, 1 Southeastern Compact fixed-wing aircraft, 3 Florida National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, 3 Florida National Guard Chinook helicopters, and 2 Southeastern Compact single-engine air tankers (SEATS), working to suppress wildfires in the Chipola Complex.

Bertha Swamp Road Fire:

The Bertha Swamp Road Fire continues to grow, now estimated at 28,109 acres, and containment remains at 10%.

The fire continues to show extreme fire behavior and has steady winds pushing the fire through thick, dry, and dead trees and vegetation left behind from Hurricane Michael. The Bertha Swamp Road Fire originated in Gulf County and has spread into Calhoun and Bay counties.

A strike team of heavy bulldozers continues to improve established containment lines focusing on defensible space around the communities near Bear Creek.

Emergency management officials are conducting additional evacuations in the Broad Branch community near Kinard in Calhoun County.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for residents in and around the Bear Creek area south and east of US 231. Motorists and residents are encouraged to remain clear of the area and to follow updates from the Bay County Emergency Services on Facebook. Residents can register for emergency notifications at AlertBay.org.

Adkins Avenue Fire:

The Adkins Avenue Fire is 875 acres and is now 80% contained.

Reduced fire behavior allowed the firefighters to improve containment on the Adkins Avenue Fire over the last several days.

All evacuation orders for the Adkins Avenue Fire have been lifted and most residents have returned home.

While evacuations have been lifted for this community, residents are encouraged to remain cautious in the event the situation changes. Residents can continue to follow updates from the Bay County Emergency Services on Facebook. Residents can register for emergency notifications at AlertBay.org.

Star Ave Fire:

The Star Ave Fire is estimated at 250 acres and is now 80% contained.

This fire ignited near Tram Road and Star Avenue and forced the evacuation of the Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home. However, all evacuations for this area have been lifted. Reduced fire behavior allowed the firefighters to improve containment on the Star Ave Fire over the last several days.