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Over 1,500 Acres Burn In Massive Wildfires (With Photo Gallery)
June 3, 2011
Four raging wildfires burned about 1,500 acres in Escambia County, Alabama, Thursday as well over 100 firefighters from 20 fire departments battled the flames.
Friday morning, firefighters were back in the area, extinguishing remaining hotspots to keep smoke off area roadways.
Thursday, the fires were so massive at one point that firefighters were unable to fight back, resorting instead to defending individual homes, according to David Adams, Emergency Management Director for Escambia County (Ala.). All of the homes were saved.
For a gallery of reader submitted photos, click here.
A few firefighters exhibited signs of heat exhaustion during the afternoon, but all were treated and the scene and none were transported to the hospital. There were no other injuries reported.
“All of the firefighters did an outstanding job,” Adams said about 10:30 Thursday as a command center at Hall Creek Road and Sardine Road was shut down for the night. “I just can’t commend all of the responders enough.”
Official believe the fires started just after 1 p.m. as a truck with mechanical problems traveled south on Butler Street to Highway 113, throwing sparks that ignited at least four small fires that quickly exploded into four wildfires of up to about 400 acres each.
By late afternoon, flames shot 40 to 50 feet above the tree tops at times, as entire pine trees burned in just moments. Smoke from the fires could be seen from over 20 miles away.
The fires burned in an area bounded approximately by I-65 to the north, Highway 113 to the west, Wolf Log Road to the south and Upper Creek Road to the east — an area north of, and between Atmore and Flomaton. Many of the roadways, including Highway 113, were closed due to heavy smoke.
The 20 fire departments from Escambia, Baldwin and Monroe counties in Alabama, and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, worked into the night to contain the fires. By 6 p.m. the fire had jumped across roadways and several fire lines plowed by the Alabama Forestry Commission. As the sun set and the humidity begin to rise, firefighters were able to bring two of the four fires under control. At 9:10 p.m., the dozens of firefighters that responded from North Escambia were able to return to Florida.
By 10 p.m., the remaining two fires were “contained” — still burning by surrounded by already burned areas, preventing their spread. A small contingent of firefighters and forestry officials remained in the area throughout the night to monitor the situation. A smoke advisory was issued for the area as heavy smoke created problems for motorists.
From the North Escambia area, firefighters from the Century, McDavid, Molino, Walnut Hill and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to Flomaton. Fire crews and equipment from the Cantonment, Ensley and Ferry Pass stations were moved into North Escambia to provide coverage in the event of a fire.
Firefighters from Walnut Hill, Cantonment and Ensley did responded to small brush fire in the area of Crary and Thompson Roads about 8:15. There were no structures damaged in that blaze.
For a gallery of reader submitted photos, click here. (Photos submitted by Amy Lambeth, Alisa Hart, Katie Fowler, Brooke Mixon, Brandi Golden and others for NorthEscambia.com)
Pictured top: A massive wildfire rages Thursday afternoon in Escambia County, Ala. Pictured top inset: Over 100 firefighters responded to the fires. Pictured middle inset: Entire pine trees were consumed by the blaze in just moments. Pictured bottom inset: A huge plume of smoke from the fires as seen from miles away. Pictured bottom: Heavy smoke closed Highway 113 between Flomaton and I-65. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
37 Responses to “Over 1,500 Acres Burn In Massive Wildfires (With Photo Gallery)”
my husband and my brother in law was in the middle of all of that and i think god that they were safe . there from station 9 . i love you baby and your my life keep up the good work baby i love you matt carter
your loving wife
dawn
Next time you are voting to cut taxes just think about what will be cut and what would happen without them
A day and night to remember. It is incredible that this was not a far worse thing, prayer at work
My mom is a firefighter/ emt and was among those fires last night and I want to say how very proud I am for what she does amd why she does it. She, along with 100 other people all had something else to do last night but chose to save homes. Thank you for all te support you are showing our volunteer firefighters.
Thank you! Thank you also to all of the responders, you have probably saved a lot of homes and lives and we REALLY appreciate it. I hope no one was hurt or had heat exhaustion with these temperatures. God bless all of you!
Thank’s to all who worked so hard to protect everyone from the fires.I have much respect for them,it takes special people to do this job.
Thank God for keeping them all safe.We serve an awsome God.
>>i live close to the canoe area…William, it’s now 10:30 am on Friday…is there still a threat to the Canoe area?
It’s pretty much “burned in” — the areas that are burning are surrounded by areas that are already burnt. So far, it’s not expanding at all this morning.
They are out on 113 and other areas extinguishing areas that are putting smoke over highways.
It’s so dry, everyone needs to be careful no matter where they are.
i live close to the canoe area…William, it’s now 10:30 am on Friday…is there still a threat to the Canoe area?
stay saff responders. this is a dnagerous fire and we appreciate your effotrs to put it out. I hope it is contained soon and no one is hurt. God Bless……
GREAT job responding Firefighters and other personnel . Outstanding job getting these massive fires under control.
We, myself and my husband, travel Hwy 113 during the week. I was shocked to see such a massive amount of smoke yesterday afternoon. Did not see any flames, but you could tell this was bad(had the potential to be bad anyway) by the amount of smoke seen. I was surprised this morning when we came back thru to see all the houses remaining and in good condition along Hwy 113 (not sure about off the main Hwy).
Thanks goodness everyone close to and invovled in the fires is fine.
Thanks to all the firefighters, a very special thanks to the volunteer firefighters for giving up something they have to do and going to fight fires and recue when they don’t have to and do it from the heart. !!!!!! WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!
i would like to thank our firefighters for a great job.
thanks to all the people who prayed
prayer does change things
what an awsome GOD we serve
for His protection of all who helped to fight this fire and the protection of homes and lifes
great job fightfighters!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we thank you for your hard work
Thanks to every firefighter that have stayed hours on top of hours out there fighting this horror of fires. Every single one of you are so appreciated for your hard work. Hopefully this will all be resolved very soon… God Bless Each and every one of you.
We are all so very Grateful to all of the Firefighters, and everyone who helped in this terrible fire today. We are also very Thankful to God for protecting them and everyone surrounded by this terrible blaze. Very glad no one was injured or lost there home.
Good job to all my firefighter brothers. Well done.
Now if only Escambia County, AL could get a fire tax. All of
the hundreds of hours of time spent by volunteer firefighters
in the county and they still can’t get a tax to help out all these
stations. Maybe they finally realized the importance of vol. fire
stations today. To bad they will forget about it all come tomorrow.
toall those people that were ranting and raving about the proposed increase in the fire tax this is what your fire tax goes for ask those people that live in the area of the fire if the 75 or 80 dollars a year is worthit
So thankful for all the fire departments and fire fighters out helping to save our homes, I was told to leave my home but we decided to stay and help out and we are so thankful that our home was spared!!!
When I am called to duty, God
Wherever Flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life
Whatever Be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late,
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and
Hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
And give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor
And protect their property.
And if according to your will
I should lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife.
I am so proud of our brave firefighters in all that they do.They are truly heroes.God bless and protect all of you.
MY HOPES AND PRAYERS ARE WITH EVERYONE OUT THERE IN THAT TERRIBLE MESS…… WE FINALLY GOT OUR COUSIN JOHNNY MATHIS OUT OF HIS HOUSE BUT JUST PRAYING HE HAS ONE TO GO HOME TO IN THE MORNING..GOD BLESS ALL OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY HELPING OUT TO SAFE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE…..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS.. WE ARE PRAYING FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU GUYS…. MAY GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU.,…..
We thought we were going to lose our home. I’m so thankful to all the fire fighters and other emergency personal that responded. Thank you so very much and God bless you all!!!
I am the proud wife of a Vol. Fireman who is still out tonight helping battle that terrible fire!! I am so very grateful to all who responded and took action today! I am also grateful to live in an area where community matters to most. Today has been very anxious for those living in the blaze’s path so I challenge those of us who are at home and cannot be out there battling the fire, please take time and say a prayer for the safety of our firefighters and also those who are patiently waiting for their home’s fate! Thank you to everyone who acted quickly and thank you all for your prayers.
Lord Jesus please bless thees brave men that are fighting the fires that are burning out of control. Lord lead them guide them and keep your great hands upon them and most of all save them so that if something were to happen to them that they may see you and live for ever amen.
Thanks to all the furefighters! Y’all be careful!!
i was right by the fire
Your doing a great job guys, keep your spirits up! I know atleast 30 of the guys out there fighting this fire right now, you have the will power and the knowledge to get this under control! God bless!
I would like to say that it is reassuring to see how everyone has pulled together. Some of these guys have been battling the fires since about 1:30 this afternoon. I would like to thank all of these Individuals who have given their time to help they deserve many tanks.
God Bless all the firefighters working tonight..may God keep all safe including those living near these fires!!!! Amanda Lee, Brewton
Just talked to my mom….my brother and his family have evacuated their home off Wolf Log. Please pray for everyone in its path and for the safety of the firefighters and other rescue personnel.
Prayers for safety and strength for the firefighters, I really appreciate the hard work, and the willingness to work together. Prayers also for the safety of the landowners and homeowners.
Hope and pray everyone made it through without harm., what a loss.
I hope no one gets injured. Thank God for the firefighters and will praying for everyones safety.
Amen Gina! Thank you to all Fire Fighters and to North Escambia for providing this service as well as the updates to keep us informed. Thank you.
i think its off sardine as well REALLY SCARY
MY FIANCEE best friend grandparents had to leave their home it was about AN ACRE away from the back of their TRAILER
I would like to Thank all the Fire Fighters working hard in this Extreme Heat to keep us safe and our homes. Thanks so very much from Donnie & Gina
it was crossing 113 just below wolf log about 20 minutes ago. sheriff’s dept was re routing traffic.
God Bless the firefighters………hope they keep well hydrated and keep houses from burning!