Jones Swamp 172-Acre Wildfire Is 90% Contained

June 27, 2011

(Updated 5 p.m.) Personnel from the Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater Forestry Center continue to fight a 172-acre wildfire in southwest Escambia County but have called the blaze
90 percent contained.

Six dozers dealt with two minor spot over fires – one toward U.S. 98 and one closer to Waycross Road – during the day Monday as humidity levels dropped and winds picked up. Forest Rangers continued to widen and improve fire lines throughout the day and will monitor the fire overnight and return in the morning.

The majority of the fire was contained by 7:30 Sunday night and crews monitored the situation overnight, according to Joe Zwierzchowski, spokesperson for the Florida Division of Forestry. Forestry crews returned to the area with four bulldozers Monday morning.

The fire created smoky conditions all the way into North Escambia on Sunday.

County officials urged residents with asthma and other respiratory problems to stay indoors with their windows closed and air conditioning on. Residents in the Cantonment area told NorthEscambia.com that ash was falling into their yards, and smoke moved into  Walnut Hill and McDavid by 4:45 Sunday afternoon.

Seven units from Escambia Fire Rescue along with 13 bulldozers and one helicopter were used to battle the blaze Sunday afternoon. The cause of the fire was not yet known.

Pictured top: Smoke from Jones Swamp fire dominates the skyline as seen from Gulf Breeze about 5:30 Sunday afternoon. Pictured inset: A Division of Forestry helicopter was used to dump water on the fire. Submitted photos by Hunter Kinnard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Jones Swamp 172-Acre Wildfire Is 90% Contained”

  1. mom2emjp on June 27th, 2011 8:21 am

    I remember a very large fire there in 2000. Jumped across Blue Angel.

  2. Larry on June 26th, 2011 7:10 pm

    We live in Bratt and there is smoke all over ….thank you NE.com for keeping us informed ..your the best

  3. Just me on June 26th, 2011 3:42 pm

    Is there any update on if it is contained or evacuations?

  4. Angel on June 26th, 2011 3:29 pm

    I live in Cantonment and was wondering where all the ash in the air was coming from. Thanks northescambia for keeping us aware and updated.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News