Information provided by Florida Forest Service
Firefighters with the Florida Forest Service Blackwater Forestry Center have the Oyster Bay Fire in Santa Rosa County 75% contained and are estimating it at 215 acres. Evacuation orders issued by Santa Rosa County Emergency Management in the Dickerson City Road area have been lifted. Residents should continue to follow any warnings from emergency personnel.
Firefighters worked to suppress the wildfire through the afternoon using tractor-plow units and air support to protect surrounding homes and neighborhoods. Crews will remain on-scene overnight to monitor any lingering hot spots and work to improve containment lines. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
Smoke and flames inside the firelines may be visible throughout the night. Motorists driving in the area are urged to use caution. If drivers encounter smoke on the roadway, they should slow down to a safe speed, turn on their low-beam headlights and proceed with caution. If it is unsafe to drive, pull safely off the road, turn on your hazard lights and wait for conditions to improve.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests 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 wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FDACS.gov/FLForestService.
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