Walnut Hill Fire Grows To 53 Acres

February 17, 2013

Early Sunday afternoon, the Florida Forest Service estimated that a wildfire about about eight miles southwest of Walnut Hill had grown to 53 acres.

The fire was initially reported about 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon to be a wind-fueled 20 acre grass fire off Ryals Lane west of Pineville Road.

FFS firefighters said the blaze started from a bush hogging operation and burned through a pasture and into the woods. The fire is mostly contained and crews will continue to monitor, and the Forest Service said the fire still has some internal smoke.

No structures were threatened by the fire, and there were no injuries reported.

The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service responded to the blaze and remained until about 6 p.m. By 7 p.m., the Forest Service reported the fire wost mostly contained and had burned toward a swamp. Dozer lines were created around the fire, with Forest Service firefighters returning on Sunday morning.

“Despite recent rains, today’s high winds dried brush, grass and other flammable vegetation and helped fan the flames. Florida experiences a year round wildfire season and these blazes serve as reminders that homeowners and landowners always should use caution when burning yard debris,” Zwierzchowski said.

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Walnut Hill Fire Grows To 53 Acres”

  1. Jane on February 17th, 2013 6:27 pm

    i agree, we would not get even half the real local news without NE.com….thank you so much, William, for all your hard work keeping us informed!!

  2. BammaGirl on February 17th, 2013 1:26 pm

    Yes they do a grand job keeping both Florida and Alabama residents informed. Last year there was a detour around Fountain prison going around by Holman prison. I sent the powers that be here a private email thru their site. And a short time later they had the story posted. There was a wreck involving an 18-wheeler if I remember correctly. Thanks for the hard work!!

  3. Mic Hall on February 17th, 2013 8:26 am

    I just want to say, “Thank You”. North Escambia has made such a HUGE difference in the local news available to the public. The print news papers have completely failed to give the local news in the level of detail, accuracy, or speed of reporting that I have found here. Keep up the good work. All of us who read the news here need to promote the site to advertisers and make sure current ones know we see their ads to keep it going.

  4. NWFLA Linda on February 17th, 2013 7:05 am

    Thank you, William. I knew when I saw all the smoke last night, you’d have the news right here first thing this morning.