Wildfire in South Walton: Updates - Arrest Made

SOUTH WALTON WOODS FIRE UPDATE

Multiple agencies are on scene in South Walton continuing to fight a 500+ acre wildland fire that has rapidly spread.

Over 500 homes have been evacuated in the area. If you fall in the evacuation area, you will receive a phone call or a deputy will knock on your door and advise you to evacuate immediately. Residents should expect to smell smoke and possibly see flames throughout the night.

Multiple structures have burned but no injuries have been reported at this time.

Those being evacuated can take shelter at South Walton High School. American Red Cross is responding to that location to assist those affected.

Westbound motorists need to avoid both Highway 98 and 30a to the west of Highway 331. Eastbound motorists need to avoid Highway 98 and 30a west of Mack Bayou Road.

Thompson Road south of US 98 is the only road closed at this time. More than 500 acres have burned and the fire is 65% contained. The fire began from illegal burning.

The above map isn't where the fire is, correct? Anybody have a new view of Thompson Road?

WCSO

MORNING UPDATE ON 500+ ACRE FIRE IN SANTA ROSA BEACH THAT BURNED WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Highway 98 and 30a are back open this morning as firefighters work to monitor the fire which is approximately 65% contained.

Thompson Road, an area that sustained heavy damage, is still shut down between Allen Loop and Highway 98.

Evacuees can seek shelter at South Walton High School.

My thanks to the firefighters and Sheriff's Office for their outstanding efforts! As the guy who started this thread, this fire sure moved quickly. We evacuated at 6 PM last night, spent the night at the Inn on 30A (nice place!), and returned home about 6 AM. There did not appear to be any damage to Santa Rosa Ridge residents--but it was halted within 30 feet of some homes in the neighborhood....

Thanks again, first (and best) responders!

Here you can see the remains of about a dozen houses on each side of Thompson Rd

North side of 98 where fire originated, apparently from someone illegally burning yard trash...

Command center at Santa Rosa Beach Post Office - US Forestry and Niceville Firefighters helping out, along with other firefighters from the area. WCSO deputies and SWFD Lifeguards helping out also.

Folks there's photos here and really nothing to see. We are neighbors trying to put our lives back together and are not a ghoulish side show for you to ride through. Please continue to avoid the area.

From Emerald Coast Association of Realtors:
Following the Governor’s Executive Order for short-term rentals, we have many empty houses in our community. If you have or are aware of a vacant property that you would be willing to make available to any home-fire victim, please post the details of the property (number of rooms, kitchen, availability, etc.) and your direct contact information on this post. Once the property is filled, please update your post that it’s no longer available. Once we have the available properties listed here, anyone can direct those in need to #ECARCares to utilize this network of resources.

ECAR has also partnered with Good News Methodist church ( 4747 US HWY 98) as a centralized drop-off point for necessities if you’d have items you’d like to donate.

Is there a list somewhere of what types of items people need?

What is the status of the fire this afternoon/evening? Is it any more contained? Last I heard was 60 percent.

Is there a list somewhere of what types of items people need?

You can contact Caring and Sharing of South Walton (850-267-2866). They are teaming up with Walton County Emergency Management to coordinate. Or if you have resources to share, please email humanservices@waltoncountyem.org.

We have just received the Mussett Bayou Fire Location Map. This is the area affected by the fire.

You can contact Caring and Sharing of South Walton (850-267-2866). They are teaming up with Walton County Emergency Management to coordinate. Or if you have resources to share, please email humanservices@waltoncountyem.org.

Thank you

Walton County Emergency Management
May 7

Mussett Bayou Wildland Fire Update

Florida Forestry Service is reporting that the fire is still at 60% containment with 575 acres involved. A secondary damage assessment was conducted and it was confirmed that 33 homes sustained heavy fire damage.

No injuries have been reported. SWFD crews along with our emergency partners will remain on scene until this incident is completely mitigated.

Avoid the Thompson Road area and avoid flying unmanned aerial system (drones) as well. Drones will severely impact the Forestry Aerial Support that is in place.

The Unified Command Team have instituted a resident re-entry process and those wishing to return to their homes must complete the following procedure:

- Go to South Walton High School located at 6454 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach
- Once there, Sheriff's Deputies will be conducting checks of photo identification cards
- Resident home address will be provided an entry pass to enter the area
- Part-time residents must provide photo identification and property ownership will be confirmed through the Walton County Property Appraisers site. Once verified, they will be provided and entry pass to enter the area.
- Business owners can acquire a pass by showing proof of ownership of a business in the affected area.
- No one will be allowed into entry to the area without the required PASS. Entry into the area is strictly prohibited.

Donation Update: At this time, we do not need any additional donations. If the needs increase, we will put out another call.

We will provide more info as it becomes available.

South Walton Fire District, Walton County Sheriff, Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. Walton County Fire Rescue

Not sure why a simple reply gets a dislike, but hey everyone has an opinion and a hole.

South Walton Fire District
May 7

*Mussett Bayou Wildland Fire Update*

Florida Foresty Service is reporting that the fire is 70% containment with 575 acres involved.

This means that the fire has a 70% chance of staying within the established fire breaks/lines.

SWFD crews along with all our emergency partners will maintain a presence (day and night) until this incident is mitigated.

South Walton residents, guests and visitors alike will still see smoke and flames for several days however if you see those outside of these burned areas, we ask that you call 9-1-1.

SWFD would also like to ask everyone in our area to please watch out for crews still working.

We will provide another update in the morning.

Thank you for your outpouring support..we couldn't do this without you.

Walton County Emergency Management

Mussett Bayou Fire Update
May 8

Per South Walton Fire District, the Florida Forestry Service is reporting that the Mussett Bayou Fire is currently at 70% containment with 575 acres involved.

This means that fire has a 70% chance of staying within the established fire breaks/line.

In addition, breezy, shifting winds and low to moderate relative humidity will lead to a high wildfire threat with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible in North Florida later this afternoon into tonight.

Incident Command is monitoring the weather and will continue accordingly

A couple strong to briefly severe thunderstorms are possible in the western Panhandle and there is a high rip current risk for Panhandle beaches.

Walton County Emergency Management

LOCATION CHANGE
Updated Re-entry Process for those returning to their homes:

✔Go to South Walton Sheriff's Sub-station located off US 331 North at 133 Sheriff Drive Santa Rosa Beach, FL

✔Sheriff's Deputies will be conducting checks of photo identification cards

✔Resident home address will be provided an entry pass to enter the area

✔Part-time residents must provide photo identification and property ownership will be confirmed through the Walton County Property Appraisers site. Once verified, they will be provided and entry pass to enter the area.

✔Business owners can acquire a pass by showing proof of ownership of a business in the affected area.

✔No one will be allowed into entry to the area without the required PASS. Entry into the area is strictly prohibited.

*Mussett Bayou Wildland Fire Update*
May 8

The Florida Foresty Service has just reported that the total acreage of has been reduced from 575 acres to 343 acres but remains at 70% containment.

This means that the fire has a 70% chance of staying within the established fire breaks/lines.

SWFD crews along with all our emergency partners will maintain a presence (day and night) until this incident is mitigated.

South Walton residents, guests and visitors alike will still see smoke and flames for several days however if you see those outside of these burned areas, we ask that you call 9-1-1.

SWFD would also like to ask everyone in our area to please watch out for crews still working.

We will provide another update in the morning.

Thank you for your continued support.
South Walton Fire District

SWFD
*Mussett Bayou Wildland Fire Update*
May 9

The Florida Foresty Service is reporting that the fire is now at 80% containment and 343 acres burned.

This means that the fire has a 80% chance of staying within the established fire breaks/lines.

SWFD crews along with our mutual aid partners will maintain a presence and continue to support the Florida Forestry Service until this incident is 100% mitigated.

South Walton residents, guests and visitors alike will most likely still see smoke and flames for several days. However, if you see those outside of these burned areas, we ask that you call 9-1-1.

SWFD would also like to ask everyone in our area to please watch out for crews that are still working.

We will provide another update tomorrow unless there is important information that we need to provide you with.

Thank you for your continued support.

*Mussett Bayou Wildland Fire Update*
SWFD
May 10

The Florida Foresty Service is reporting that the fire is now at 85% containment and 343 acres burned.

This means that the fire has a 85% chance of staying within the established fire breaks/lines.

We are urging all our Walton County residents/ guests/ and visitors alike to avoid any and all outdoor burning at this time. Conditions today and especially tomorrow are very favorable for a small fire to rapidly become a large uncontrolled fire.

SWFD crews along with our mutual aid partners will maintain a presence and continue to support the Florida Forestry Service until this incident is 100% mitigated.

South Walton residents, guests and visitors alike will most likely still see smoke and flames for several days. However, if you see those outside of these burned areas, we ask that you call 9-1-1.

SWFD would also like to ask everyone in our area to please watch out for crews that are still working.

We will provide another update tomorrow unless there is important information that we need to provide you with.

Thank you for your continued support.