I-10 shutdown, evacuations advised as large wildfire burns in Santa Rosa County

UPDATE 5/7/2020 12:48 p.m.)– The Santa Rosa County Emergency Management team says the fire has burned more than 2,000 acres as of Thursday morning.

A total of 17 homes have been damaged, 13 of those are destroyed. Watch the full video about for the latest.

UPDATE (10:42 am) — Crews are currently assessing the number of damaged buildings. An updated number is expected to be released later today. Current evacuation orders will run until noon today. Housing is also available for evacuees with livestock in addition to the shelter at the Milton Community Center.

On Thursday, News 5 crews got a close look at some of the brush that was charred by the growing wildfire.

UPDATE (10:16 am) — The Five Mile Swamp fire continues to burn in Santa Rosa County. The 2,000 acre fire is currently 20 percent contained. Crews from across the state are coming in to help fight the fire. Today, crews will be focusing on areas around I-10.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Nine miles of Interstate 10 remains closed Thursday morning as firefighters continue to battle the large Five Mile Swamp fire burning in Santa Rosa County.

I-10 is shut down in northwest Florida between the 22 and 31 mile marker due to no visibility from smoke. The fire grew ten times in size on Wednesday due to high winds and low humidity. As of 6am Thursday, the fire has burned 2,000 acres.

Residents who live south of I-10 from Escambia Bay to Blackwater Bay have been advised to evacuate. The Milton Community Center opened on Wednesday for displaced residents in need of shelter.

The fire is 20% contained, according to officials. Gulf Power shut off power from Garcon Point Rd. to Dickerson City, south of I-10, News 5’s Nicolette Schleisman reports.

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