Wild Fire-Update
By Ashley Roberts (aroberts@wmbb.com)
News 13 on your side
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
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The fire started out near Steelfield Road Monday around 10 a.m.
Strong winds quickly spread the fire to 814 acres of land between Steelfield Road and the inter-coastal waterway. The Florida Division of Forestry was on scene all day working to stop the large fire. Crews were called in from Bay County, Southport, West End, West Bay and even Walton County to help control the blaze. Almost a dozen bulldozers worked to dig trenches, which serve as barriers to stop the flames.
Air support was also called in with an airplane to survey the fire from above and a helicopter to drop water. Crews finally got a handle on the blaze around nine last night and say it is now 85% contained, but 15% of the area still has hot spots. Crews will stay on the scene overnight to monitor the area.
If you have any information about the wild fire, then call the Division of Forestry Arson Hotline.
That number is 1-800-342-5869. The agency is giving up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in this investigation.