Department of Agriculture opens investigation of Santa Rosa wildfire

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) says the 196-acre Oyster Bay Wildfire in Santa Rosa County should never have occurred, it began as a prescribed burn, and an investigation has been opened.

The wildfire was caused by a prescribed burn conducted by a certified burner on Garcon Point by the Northwest Florida Water Management District, which FDACS does not oversee, the FDACS said.

Here is a statement by the FDACS:

“This situation should not have occurred. Our Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters put their lives at risk every day to protect the lives and property of the people of our state and have been nationally recognized for their prescribed burn program. Implementing that program safely and responsibly is critical to the integrity of a program that has protected our communities and natural resources for decades. On Friday, an investigation was opened into the prescribed burn and the actions of the certified burner. The Department’s top priority remains the safety of the people of Florida.”

The FDAC further states:

“On Thursday, April 7, the Florida Forest Service issued a burn authorization on the weather forecast for Friday, April 8. The burn authorization was confirmed Friday morning based on the forecasted wind speed and direction.

“In order to successfully conduct a prescribed burn on Garcon Point, strong winds out of the northwest are needed. On Friday, April 8, forecasted winds were out of the northwest. However, local weather observations later indicated the wind direction on Friday was out of the southwest.

“Certified burners have a duty and responsibility to adjust or cancel their prescribed burn if the wind or other weather conditions do not match the forecasted conditions. That did not occur in this situation. The fire burned 196 acres and is currently 90% contained.

“Certified prescribed burners in Florida have professional training and experience. They are taught to monitor on-the-ground weather conditions and any variations from the forecasted conditions. Once on-site, actual weather conditions may differ from the forecast.”