The NWS Mobile has confirmed it was a tornado that went through Blackwater River State Forest early Friday.

All recreation areas on Blackwater River State Forest will be open as of Friday morning following cleanup from an EF2 tornado. facebook.com/FFSBlackwater for more detials.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program for non-industrial, private forest landowners. The program runs through July 26 and includes 44 northern Florida counties – the southern pine beetle's known range.

Firefighters from Florida Forest Service , Avalon Volunteer Fire Department and Midway Fire District have the fire south of Mary Kitchens Road along Garcon Point Road 60% contained at 12 acres. Roads are reopened and evacuations lifted. Officials will monitor throughout the night.

FINAL UPDATE for Mary Kitchens Road Fire: 12 acres and 100% contained. Residents and motorists might see some lingering smoke and hot spots that are well interior of the firelines but they pose no threat to containment.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service are warning of increased fire danger in Florida due to significant post-storm vegetative debris and dry weather. Learn more: tinyurl.com/mphbjspe

Clear Creek OHV Riding Area will be closed Friday January 24 because of winter storm conditions. Operations will resume Saturday and Sunday as scheduled. For daily entrance fees, please visit tinyurl.com/ClearCreekOHV

The Florida Forest Service has four tractor-plow units and four brush trucks on scene of an estimated 200-acre wildfire north of Chumuckla in Santa Rosa County. Residents are asked to avoid the area as there are multiple road closures in the fire area.

Willow Point Lane Fire: Florida Forest Service crews back on scene, working to clean up lines and douse any lingering hot spots. Very little visible smoke, no threats to containment. 160 acres/75% contained. Two bulldozers on scene as well as a fixed-wing aircraft overhead for recon.

FINAL UPDATE: Willow Point Lane Fire is 85% contained and held at 160 acres. Crews have a line around the entirety of the fire and will continue to monitor for the next several days, attacking any residual hot spots as they find them.

Contractors will conduct a 285-acre RX burn on private lands just south of I-10, north of Robinson Point Rd (3/21) in Santa Rosa County. RX fire helps mitigate risks by reducing buildup of underbrush, remove unwanted species, promotes the growth of trees, whyprescribedfire.org

Firefighters from Florida Forest Service are working several small fires along north side of I-10 in Santa Rosa County between Avalon Blvd & Garcon Pt Rd. 2 dozers and 1 brush truck are working lines and douse the flames. I10 is one lane westbound. No structures threatened. #FLFIRE

Crews have these fires contained and are working to mop up lingering hot spots. Final update barring significant changes.

🚨 FFS is asking residents to use caution as drought conditions spread across Florida. Several counties have issued outdoor yard debris burn bans, and the Keetch Byrum Drought Index readings indicate severe drought conditions. For fire safety tips, visit BeWildfireReadyFL.com.

As we approach the peak of #prescribedfire season for Northwest Florida, residents are likely to see smoke from as far as 30 miles away as land managers utilize fire to restore ecosystems, reduce hazardous fuels and improve timber stands. Learn more at whyprescribedfire.org

Monday (12/22/25), a contractor is planning to conduct a 160-acre prescribed burn on private land north of Interstate 10 and east of Avalon Boulevard. The burn will only take place under optimal conditions. facebook.com/share/p/16sAaK…

This burn has been postponed because of overnight rain.

Sunday (12/28/25), a contractor is planning to conduct a 160-acre rx burn on private land north of I 10 and east of Avalon Blvd with the possibility of a second 245-acre burn if conditions allow. These burns will only take place under optimal conditions. facebook.com/share/p/1ByeLm…