By Staff Report
UPDATE: 10:25 A.M.
The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners will meet in special emergency Session on
Friday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. ET in the commission meeting room, at 34
Forbes Street, Apalachicola, to consider action on a county-wide temporary burn ban.
UPDATE 8:40 P.M. —
The Indian Pass wildfire is now reported to be 100% contained.
UPDATE 7:30 P.M. —
Representatives from the Florida Forest Service now report that the fire is 70% contained.
All structures are protected at this time.
Crews are expected to be working through the night to establish fire lines.
UPDATE 6 P.M. —
The fire is now reported to be 30% contained. There is no change in its reported size.
UPDATE 5:00 P.M. —
According to the Florida Forest Service, the fire is currently buring about 125 acres and is moving east.
Four Gulf County fire departments are currently responding to the fire along with FFS — South Gulf Fire Rescue, Port St. Joe Fire Department, Gulf County Beaches Volunteer Fire Department and Highland View Volunteer Fire Department.
FFS Public Information Officer Aleesa Maples said that the fire is estimated to be 10 percent contained at this time. Maples said that there are currently 10 tractors, a helicopter and an airplane are currently beinf deployed by FFS to fight the blaze.
At this time, the cause of the fire is reported as being unknown.
The fire was the second Gulf County wildfire of the day. Late Wednesday morning, a 10 acre fire was reported as being 100% contained off of Highway 71 north of Wewahitchka.
Dry and windy conditions have lead to a hightened fire risk in Gulf and surrounding counties. Residents are advised to be cautious and minimize fire risks.
ORIGINAL REPORT —
The Florida Forest Service reported an active brush fire in Indian Pass on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters reported being at the scene. Officials say they are concerned for a few structures in the area. No mandatory evacuations have been issued, but residents in the area have been informed via AlertGulf to be prepared to evacuate should it become necessary.
Gulf County Emergency Management Director Matt Herring said that South Gulf Fire Rescue Firefighters were currently working to protect structures in the area and that the Florida Forest Service had tractors at the scene with more in route.
The fire is located off of Highway 30 near the Indian Pass Raw Bar.
At this time, it is reported as being 100 acres and 0% contained. Herring said more accurate acerage estimates could not be given at this time.
This report will be updated as information becomes available. Updated to report on size of fire as of 3:23 PM EST 9/5/22.
Jim Saunders