Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters in coordination with Santa Rosa County Public Safety and area fire departments from Santa Rosa, Escambia and Okaloosa counties have been working to contain the Five Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County’s Garcon Point area.
- The fire is estimated to be 35% contained.
- The fire is estimated to cover 2,000 acres.
- Santa Rosa County in conjunction with the Florida Forest Service are still assessing the number of damaged structures and that information will be released as it is confirmed.
Evacuations/Re-Entry
- Closed - Everything on Garcon Point Road east to the Blackwater Bay from I-10 south to Mary Kitchens Road remains closed. THERE IS NO ACCESS TO THIS AREA (see map above).
- Level 1 - Everything south of Mary Kitchens Road on Avalon and Garcon Point Road, and on the west side of Avalon is at a Level 1 evacuation, meaning residents can return to their homes but need to stay aware. Level 1 also extends up to Da Lisa Road.
- Level 2 - Indian Bayou to Mary Kitchens Road and the houses along Mary Kitchens Road are a Level 2 evacuation and may return to home but must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Citizen Information Center
The Santa Rosa County Citizen Information Center is open. Those who have evacuated or who have questions may call 850-983-INFO (4636).
Sheltering
The shelter at Milton Community Center is closed. For sheltering needs, call 850-983-INFO (4636).
Information on residences in the affected areas
- Preliminary reports are 13 residential structures, including mobile and modular homes, single family residential homes, and guest houses have been affected. This does not include barns, sheds or other ancillary structures.
Housing for livestock
Evacuated residents who need a place to house livestock may utilize the June Ates Arena/Agri-plex, 8604 Bobby Brown Rd. in Milton. Call Kyle Holley (850) 390-9808 for instructions.
Florida Forest Service update -
- Florida Forest Service personnel and apparatus are still arriving to assist with the firefighting efforts.Tonight’s operational is to hold, control and monitor existing fire containment lines and, where safe, improve control lines where needed.
- As the front moves in overnight, winds will shift to the south/southwest at 10-14 mph, gusting to 20 mph. Relative humidity is expected to increase to 48%, with a chance of thundershowers.
- In light of these conditions, officials with the Blackwater Forestry Center are continuing to withhold burn authorizations in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
- Florida Forest Service Wildfire Dashboard - https://fdacs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/7c243720c87f4a3482db6ebf77efe99d
Gulf Power outage map
- Gulf Power is working as quickly as possible to restore power.
- Some power poles have been burned and will take longer to replace.
- Check the Gulf Power Outage Map for updates.
Agencies responding to Five Mile Swamp Fire:
Avalon Fire
Bagdad Fire
East Milton Fire
Harold Fire
Munson Fire
Pace Fire
Skyline Fire
Whiting Field
Gulf Breeze Fire
Midway Fire
Holley-Navarre Fire
Navarre Beach Fire
Okaloosa Wildland Taskforce
Escambia County Fire
Emergency Management
Florida Forest Service
Lifeguard Ambulance
Acy Lowery fire
The Acy Lowery fire in Pace is contained and no structures were affected.
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