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Wakulla County wildfire now 100 percent contained after spreading to 545-acres

Posted at 1:34 PM, May 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-21 13:46:03-04

WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — Forest officials say a 545-acre wildfire in Wakulla County is now 100 percent contained.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, High Hill Fire started burning on May 11, near Smith Creek Road and S.R. 20.

Susan Blake, a specialist with the National Forests of Florida, explained to ABC 27 what caused that fire to spread so quickly.

"Well, the national weather service issued a Red Flag Warning, so that means high winds and drought conditions were favorable for wildfire," said Blake. "So, this could have been a naturally occurring fire. It's under investigation but the conditions were ideal for wildfire."

At this time, authorities still have not stated the initial cause of the fire.

However, rangers are reminding campers that the Apalachicola National Forest area is still under a burn ban due to unseasonably high drought and lack of rain.

The ban will be in effect through July 31.