This is an area that had spent many years rebuilding from Hurricane Michael.
Governor Ron DeSantis said that hundreds of thousands of trees (hectares) were downed by the 2018 hurricane. He also noted that low humidity and strong winds have created a “perfect storm” for dangerous fire conditions in Bay County. Ron DeSantis spoke at a news conference held in Panama City.
DeSantis stated, “This is not surprising.”
Overnight, more than 200 emergency workers and firefighters from the Panhandle joined forces to reinforce containment lines and protect residents. According to the Florida Forest Service, 30% of the Adkins Avenue Fire, which covers 1,500 acres (607 ha), was contained as of Saturday morning.
Officials stated in a news release that the agency had deployed more than 12 tractor plow units and multiple helicopters. In some areas, burn bans were in place.
As of Saturday morning, at least 600 homes were evacuated. However, that number was likely to rise as evacuation orders were issued for new neighborhoods throughout the day.
DeSantis thanked firefighters for saving many homes over the night.
DeSantis stated, “This is an extremely significant and fast-moving fire.”
Michael was the first Category 5-hurricane to hit the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. It also became the fourth hurricane on record when it ravaged Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base, October 2018. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the hurricane caused 16 deaths and caused approximately $25 billion of damage in the United States.
The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried stated that the Florida Panhandle had also been left with 2.8 million acres (about 1 million hectares) worth of shredded and uprooted trees.
Fried stated that Hurricane Michael created a new threat for our communities: wildfires. “Wildfires can be difficult to control. Wildfires can be intensified by Hurricane Michael’s fuelling and dense vegetation pockets.
According to officials with the Florida Forest Service, there is no timetable for residents to return to their homes. Jimmy Patronis, Florida Chief Financial Officer, suggested that evacuated homeowners contact insurance companies to speed up the claim process in the event of damage or destruction to their homes.
Patronis stated, “Have patience as you ask us to evacuate from your houses.”
According to the Florida Forest Service, dry conditions have increased fire dangers in Florida. There are currently 148 active wildfires in Florida, including the Bertha Swamp Fire, which is a 3,214-acre (1,214 hectare) fire in Gulf County.
