Chipola Complex wildfires grow to nearly 30,000 acres

NORTHWEST FLORIDA — This morning, 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.

While the weather forecast in the coming days calls for lighter winds and 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, 2 FFS fixed-wing aircraft, 2 Florida National Guard Black Hawk helicopters, 2 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 is growing, now estimated at more than 28,109 acres, and containment remains at 10%.

The fire continues to show extreme activity as steady winds push 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 is focusing on building firelines and defensible space around the communities near Bear Creek. The heavy bulldozers are better equipped to move large volumes of debris and to establish wider firelines than typical initial attack tractor-plow units.

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 50% contained.

Early acreage estimates were hampered by smoky conditions and intense fire activity, but firefighters were able to conduct better mapping. Reduced fire behavior allowed the firefighters to improve containment on the Adkins Avenue Fire today.

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 60% contained.

This fire ignited Sunday 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 today.

There are currently nearly 160 wildfires burning 33,600 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.

It is important for residents to use extreme caution and remain aware of current wildfire activity. To view active wildfires, visit FDACS.gov/ActiveWildfirePoints. To learn how to prevent and prepare for a wildfire, visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com.