PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — Governor Ron said more than 1,100 homes have been evacuated as a result of the massive wildfires that have burned across notherwest Florida for days.
The governor was joined by CFO and State Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis, FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie, Adjutant General James O. Eifert, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, and Chief of Bay County Emergency Services Brad Monroe during a Sunday press conference.
DeSantis said the Bertha Swamp Fire, which originated in Gulf County and has blown into Calhoun and Bay Counties has now burned over 9,000 acres of land.10% contained. The governor said strong winds are largely to blame for the wildfire’s quick movement.
DeSantis also commended a group of southwest Florida first responders who joined a wildfire strike team in Bay County.
On Saturday, first responders from Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando Counties announced they would join the strike team to fight the wildfires in northwest Florida. Over the past week, dozens of fires have displaced hundreds of people and burned thousands of acres of land.
According to a tweet from the Florida Forest Service, 841 total acres have burned in the Adkins Avenue fire. The service said 35% of the fire was contained as of Sunday afternoon.
This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.
