Twenty homes have been evacuated in Bay County, Florida, after a wildfire spread approximately 678 acres over the weekend. The fire is burning near Allanton, Florida, at County Road 2207 and Old Allanton Road.
The fire was reported to the Florida Forest Service on Saturday, March 30, at 5:15 p.m. at 3 to 5 acres of heavy blown down timber, according to a Florida Forest Service update on Sunday.
The fire was 50 percent contained at 15 acres as of 6 p.m. on Saturday, but strong winds caused the fire to flare up dramatically to approximately 100 acres by 7 p.m. Gusty northerly winds pushed the fire south on Sunday, according to the Florida Forest Service, which described the fire as "stubborn."
There were a couple of brief showers on Sunday, which did not amount to much, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said. Florida Forest Service crews reported feeling light rain while combating the flames on Sunday.
The fire is located about 13 miles southeast of Panama City, Florida, near where Hurricane Michael made landfall on Oct. 10, 2018. Michael's powerful winds destroyed thousands of square miles of timberland in Florida and Georgia.
The fire burns in a swampy area, making access to fire equipment difficult, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Also reportedly causing an issue are downed trees from Michael, which have complicated firefighting efforts, according to WPLG. Bay County was one of the hardest hit regions from the Category 4 storm.
On Sunday, the Florida Forest Service had 24 firefighters, 14 firefighting bulldozers and two aircraft on the scene, as well as numerous Bay County Emergency personnel and equipment.
The wildfire was 50 percent contained at 668 acres as of around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to the Chipola Fire Service. The Florida Forest Service planned to patrol and improve lines throughout Sunday night.
On Monday morning, the fire remain contained at 50 percent at 678 acres. The Florida Forest Service will have 12 firefighting bulldozers building and improving fire lines. There will also be engines mopping up hot spots.
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During firefighting efforts on Monday, there will be a few showers during the morning, but it will be dry into the afternoon and early evening. Winds will not be a factor, according to Kines.
“There is an opportunity for showers later Monday night and Tuesday morning,” Kines said. However, there will be not be much rain as only less than a quarter inch is expected.
That rain would be from a budding storm just off the Atlantic coast.
It will also be dry on Tuesday afternoon with a gusty west to northwest wind. Dry conditions will persist into Wednesday and Thursday, but winds should not be a factor.
If the fire remains into later this week, “another round of showers is possible Thursday night or Friday. This system looks more potent and could provide significant rain,” Kines said.
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