Cause of Wildfires Released - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Cause of Wildfires Released

After an investigation today by a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Law Enforcement Officer, the causes of both of the two wildfires between Highway 231 and the Bay/Calhoun county line along Highway 20 in northeast Bay County that threatened homes along Rollohome Road yesterday afternoon appear to be ‘equipment' related. 

That's the official title of cause but in this case more specifically it means that due to evidence that the investigator found on the scenes of both fires, it is believed that heat sources that ignited both wildfires were most likely chunks of debris from a very hot ‘blow-out' from a tire on Highway 20 in that area just moments before the time the fires were reported. 

The super heated debris then ignited the dry vegetation along the shoulder of the road.  Then winds blowing TOWARD the northeast propelled the flames into the woods north of Highway 20 and toward homes. 

Of course, Florida Forest Service wildland firefighting crews were able to attack both wildfires by plowing containment firelines around the fires which therefore stopped them before the flames reached any homes!  

Again, the Rollohome Road Wildfire is contained at 10 acres and the Highway 20 Wildfire is contained at 5 acres. 

Press Release Provided by the Florida Forest Service