Mon | Feb 2, 2026

Firefighters battle two massive wildfires in Florida Panhandle

Published:Sunday | March 6, 2022 | 3:13 PM
Hector Rivera and Wandi Blanco put water on hotspots behind their home in Panama City, Florida, Saturday, March 5, 2022, following a wildfire that started Friday. The fire destroyed two homes next to them and melted the siding off of their home. (Mike Fender/News Herald via AP)

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) — Firefighters and emergency workers battled two massive wildfires Sunday in an area of the Florida Panhandle that was still recovering from the destruction caused by a Category 5 hurricane more than three years ago.

The 8,000-acre Bertha Swamp Road fire and the 1,400-acre Adkins Avenue fire threatened homes and forced the evacuation of residents of at least 750 homes in Bay County, Florida over the weekend.

The Adkins Avenue fire destroyed two structures and damaged another 12 homes late Friday.

Local emergency officials said no homes were destroyed and there were no injuries on Saturday, the second day of battling the Adkins Avenue fire.

“No homes damaged. No injuries to residents or responders. Big win for Bay County!” Bay County emergency officials tweeted early Sunday.

Local authorities said they didn't know when residents would be able to return to their homes.

“It is NOT safe to return home at this time. Please be patient as first responders battle these dangerous fires,” Bay County officials posted online.

The county opened a shelter at the Bay County Fairgrounds for displaced residents.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.