photo #9156794

WILDFIRE UPDATE Apalachicola National Forest - - - - - 3:00pm, Wednesday, 4/22/2026 - - - - - Wildfire activity has increased significantly throughout much of Florida and southern Georgia as hot, dry, windy weather and severe drought conditions continue. The Southern Area GRAY Incident Management Team has assumed command of the 139 Fire and Mill Pond Fire on the Apalachicola National Forest as of 6:00am on Tuesday, April 21. The engagement of the Gray Team relieves and supplements local wildland firefighters from the USDA Forest Service, enabling them to focus on initial attack of any new fire starts on national forest lands or in the surrounding mutual aid zone. The 139 Fire and the Mill Pond Fire are both long-duration fires with a high difficulty of control. The size of the fires has not increased in recent days and containment lines are in place; but some interior areas of each fire continue to burn actively, including normally wet meadows and swamps. In addition, some pockets of previously burned areas of each fire are experiencing pine needlecast, and isolated areas of reburn. The 139 Fire is located one mile north of Wilma, FL, and 40 miles southwest of Tallahassee, on the east side of SR-65. It began with a lightning strike on March 17. It is currently 6,499 acres and 50% contained. The Mill Pond Fire is located 3 miles south of Telogia, FL; 32 miles southwest of Tallahassee; and 10 miles northeast of the 139 Fire. It was discovered on March 19, and is human-caused. It is currently 1,760 acres and 70% contained. Current Florida wildfire information is available at https://www.fdacs.gov/.../Current-Wildfire-Information The public is asked to use caution during all outdoor activities, be aware of county outdoor burning restrictions, and be extra careful driving in areas of smoke. - - - - - (USFS photos of fire activity on Saturday 4/18 on a portion of the 139 Fire, courtesy of R.Hunter). Source: U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in Florida