A fast-moving wildfire to the south of Highway 231, on the east side of Transmitter Road in Panama City, Florida, has quickly spread to more than 800 acres and torched at least two homes, prompting residents to evacuate the area.
As of Friday, residents of more than 600 homes in the area were evacuated as firefighters struggled to control the blaze that is fast moving north and leaving a trail of destruction. Authorities have also advised residents in Brentwood and Avondale to evacuate as the fire continues to spread.
Motorists, too, have been advised to avoid the area if possible.
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As for efforts to put the fire out, the Florida Forest Service said that a dozen tractor-plow units and multiple helicopters were engaged in actively fighting the blaze, while a fixed-wing aircraft has also been dispatched. The Florida Forest Service also added that “additional resources from other districts/counties” were en route to provide further assistance.
News of a fast spreading wildfire emerged on Thursday and firefighters have since been engaged in a race against time to control the blaze before it spreads too far and causes considerable damage.
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As per the Florida Forest Service wildfire map, there is an active wildfire on Daffin Lake Road that is 30% contained, and a second wildfire on Dogwood Way that is 75% contained. A third wildfire on Alvie Holmes Road, meanwhile, has been put out by firefighters.
The news of the wildfire comes a day after the National Interagency Fire Center warned of an increased threat of wildfires in the spring of 2022.
“Above-normal significant fire potential is forecast to expand across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas during March and April, with lingering above normal potential forecast to remain in Florida during May,” the institute said, suggesting that Florida’s wildfire woes now may just be the beginning of a trying period.
