Wildfire Destroys 18 Homes In Northwest Florida, Forces Evacuations

Florida is now dealing with a second disaster unfolding amidst the pandemic: A wildfire raged out of control in Santa Rosa County late Wednesday in the Panhandle, destroying homes, forcing emergency evacuations and shutting down nine miles of Interstate 10.

“This is a rapidly evolving situation,” Santa Rosa emergency management officials said in a statement. “If you do not feel safe in your home, you should leave. Take your pets with you.”

At least 500 people have been evacuated and 18 homes destroyed, Florida Forest Service officials said in a Wednesday night news conference.

The fire consumed 150 acres on Monday, officials said, and as of Wednesday had burned 2,000 acres. It was just 20 percent contained when officials spoke at about 9 p.m.

The fire started as a prescribed burn on Monday but quickly grew out of control by Wednesday afternoon. It was located just 10 miles east of Pensacola’s Cordova Mall.