Released by the Florida Forest Service …
Multiple agencies responded to the Mussett Bayou fire on Wednesday afternoon. This wildfire moved quickly through the area due to dry conditions and strong winds. Current containment is estimated to be 575 acres with 60% containment.
Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters are aggressively establishing fire lines for containment. Fifteen tractor/plow units, two engines and additional resources from multiple agencies continue fire suppression activities. Additional resources with the Florida Forest Service are in route from different areas within Florida including two strike teams and a helicopter.
A shelter has been established at the South Walton high school for residents in an emergency evacuation status. Evaucations will run through Thursday and reevaluated as needed.
The fire started from an illegal material burn and quickly moved South across Highway 98 in the area of Thompson Road and Moll Drive.
Due to extreme weather conditions, the Florida Forest Service is not issuing burn authorizations for the Chipola Forestry Center area.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forest and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.