In the Florida Panhandle, 600 homes have been evacuated, two have been destroyed, and 12 have been damaged by the spreading wildfire. Hurricane Michael from 2018 left 72 million tons of downed trees in the wake of its destruction, and, in combination with low humidity and strong winds, its debris has “created the perfect storm” now, said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a news conference on Saturday.
DeSantis and other state officials said state resources would be made available to control the fire burning in Bay County. Agencies battling the fire include over a dozen tractor plow units, multiple helicopters, and over 200 firefighters, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook on Friday, announcing Hiland Park Baptist Church, located at 2611 US-231, as an emergency shelter for those who had been evacuated due to the wildfire.
Those being evacuated include residents east of Highway 231 from S. Bear Creek to Veal Road, Springfield, from east of Transmitter Road, south of Highway 231 and north of 15th street, Bear Creek from Scotts Ferry Road and south, as well as: Bylsma Estates, Cedar Park, College Station, and Pipeline Road, according to a Facebook post by the Bay County, Florida Emergency Services.
While officials fight to contain the Adkins Avenue Fire in Bay County, a fire in Tallahassee is also spreading, burning 8,000 acres, with only 10% contained as of Saturday. The fire is named the Bertha Swamp Fire and - as in the Adkins Avenue Fire - is being fueled by the downed trees left over from Hurricane Michael.