Chipola Complex morning update – Wednesday, March 9

BAY COUNTY, Fla. – This morning, the Florida Forest Service (FFS) announced the Chipola Complex, which encompasses three wildfires, has grown to more than 34,000 acres as extreme fire behavior continued through the evening yesterday.

There are approximately 70 tractor-plow units and 10 air assets working to suppress wildfires in the Chipola Complex.

Light, steady rain is expected today, which will reduce the heat and intensity of the Bertha Swamp Road Fire. This will provide improved access for wildland firefighters, allowing them to establish and improve containment lines around the fast-moving wildfire, according to the FFS.

Bertha Swamp Road Fire:

The Bertha Swamp Road Fire continues to grow, now estimated at 33,047 acres, and containment remains at 10%.

Suppression efforts remain challenging as the fire pushes 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 establish and improve containment lines focusing on defensible space around communities.

SEE RELATED STORY: $6.1 million in funding available for families impacted by the wildfires

Emergency management officials conducted some evacuations in the Kinard community as the Bertha Swamp Road Fire moved further into Calhoun County on Tuesday.

Residents are encouraged to receive updates from local public safety officials and the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency at CalhounEMA.org.

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 197 acres and is now 80% contained.

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

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.

There are approximately 120 wildfires burning more than 37,000 acres throughout Florida. Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters and resources from numerous fire and emergency service departments are working around the clock to help suppression efforts.