Wildfire Burns Through About 40 Acres In Molino

April 15, 2017

A wildfire burned about 40 acres in Molino Friday afternoon before being brought under control.

The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation. But Florida Forest Service personnel and an Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement investigator believe it was caused by a person.

The fire was off Highway 95A and north of Molino Road in Molino in the area of Morgan and Nicholson Drive. The fire was well off the main roads.

The Forest Service and Escambia County Fire Rescue were first called to the area around 7 a.m. Friday as residents reported the smell of smoke. With foggy conditions, the smoke was indistinguishable and no fire was found.

At about 2:30 p.m., while on routine patrol, the Blackwater Forestry Center’s fixed wing aircraft pilot reported seeing smoke and flew the area. There were no authorized burns on record and crews responded with bulldozers and a brush truck to find the fire had burned through about 30 acres at the time suppression began.

Crews were able to establish a fire line around most of the burned area rather quickly but pockets of heat remain along the southern edge of the fire in a creek bottom where access was difficult. Forest firefighters were set to return to the area on Saturday to evaluate the situation.

In addition to the Florida Forest Service, the Molino, McDavid, Century and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also worked to contain the blaze and protect any threatened structures.

File photo.

Comments

2 Responses to “Wildfire Burns Through About 40 Acres In Molino”

  1. Puddin on April 16th, 2017 4:37 pm

    I thought it was someone burning off their fields. Lot of that this time of year.

    Good job to our fire fighters and forestry dept. Thanks all.

  2. Brenda on April 15th, 2017 10:41 am

    Thanks to the observant forestry pilot for seeing this and getting the emergency call out. It came up to our Uncle’s back yard and fire crews were there to stop it. We are greatful for our local fire stations and the hard work they do for us. Thank you!