TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – This morning, the Florida Forest Service (FFS) Blue Incident Management Team announced that there is no substantial activity on the Chipola Complex, which encompasses three wildfires.

While the significant rainfall has improved current conditions, the exponential volume of dead trees and vegetation left behind from Hurricane Michael will remain a wildfire threat in the Panhandle. The Chipola Complex is the largest wildfire since Michael hit the area in 2018. Without additional notable rainfall, the debris on the ground will dry out quickly and serve as fuel for wildfires.

Wildland firefighters will continue improving containment lines on the Chipola Complex and monitor any new activity.

Bertha Swamp Road Fire:

The Bertha Swamp Road Fire, located in Gulf, Bay, and Calhoun counties, is estimated at over 33,000 acres and is 20% contained.

Adkins Avenue Fire:

The Adkins Avenue Fire, located in Bay County, is 875 acres and is 85% contained.

Star Ave Fire:

The Star Ave Fire, located in Bay County, is 197 acres and is 95% contained.

There are over 90 wildfires burning nearly 37,000 acres throughout Florida. It is important for residents to use extreme caution and remain aware of current wildfire activity.  To view active wildfires, visit FDACS.gov/ActiveWildfirePoints. To learn how to prevent and prepare for a wildfire, visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com.

For media with questions regarding the Chipola Complex, email Julie.Allen@FDACS.gov or call 386-503-7351. Follow @FLForestService and @FFS_Chipola on Twitter for ongoing updates.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.

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