350-Plus Acre ‘and Growing’ Wildfire Near White City in Gulf County

            ***PRESS RELEASE***

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                    June 9^th, 2011
Press Release Contact:                                                                                                                                         (850) 625-6621
Brian Goddin                                                                                                         Brian.Goddin@FreshFromFlorida.com

GULF COUNTY—Several Florida Division of Forestry firefighters representing all 7 counties in the Chipola Forestry Center are on the scene right now fighting to keep the “Doc Whitfield Road” Wildfire from threatening nearby homes in the White City and Howard Creek areas of Gulf County about ten miles north of Port St. Joe up Highway 71.

At approximately 350 acres at 3:00 p.m. (Central Time), this wildfire had been doubling in size about every 30 minutes this afternoon.  At 1:00 it was estimated to be 60 acres and growing, then at 1:30 it was approximately 115 acres and then at 2:00, it was believed to be 300 acres.

Division of Forestry firefighters from Gulf, Bay, Jackson, Holmes, Washington, Calhoun, and Walton counties are either working the blaze right now or are relocating themselves to be in a position to respond if needed.  We have 11 tractor-plow units on scene plowing fire lines around the perimeter of the fire and 2 helicopters dropping water on the fire from the air.  Also, two tankers are being ordered out of the Lake City area to help battle this wildfire.

Fortunately due to the quick and aggressive actions of these Division of Forestry firefighters, no homes are in any immediate danger at this time and there are no evacuation orders being issued or even suggested at this time.

It is believed that this fire was originally started as a result of some kind of equipment spark possibly from a skidder from some logging operations that was taking place in that area earlier today. 


For media interviews and photo and video opportunities, contact Brian Goddin—Wildfire Mitigation Specialist/ Public Information Officer: Florida Division of Forestry (Chipola District) at 625-6621.  To report a suspicious fire, call 547-7083.  For more information about Florida’s Division of Forestry, including wildfire information, or recreational opportunities, visit the DOF website at www.fl-dof.com.  The Chipola Forestry Center of the Florida Division of Forestry consists of 7 counties including Bay, Walton, Gulf, Holmes, Calhoun, Washington, and Jackson counties.


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