Wildfire in Florida, June 24 to 26, 2018

Name: Wildfire in Florida, June 24 to 26, 2018
Start: 2018-06-24T17:30
End: 2018-06-26T10:30
Location: Florida

June 24 to 26, 2018 · NWS TAE · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $800,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.

A wildfire developed in the Eastpoint area during the late afternoon of June 24th. It quickly spread from the woods to nearby homes as strong northerly outflow from a thunderstorm to the north moved through the area with wind gusts of 25-30 mph. According to emergency management, the fire destroyed 36 homes with an additional 4 homes sustaining minor damage. There were 184 people who requested assistance through the Red Cross. The fire grew to 950 acres. It was 95 percent contained by the morning of June 26th. The loss of property is estimated to be at least $800,000 according to Property Appraiser Rhonda Skipper.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 24, 1:57 PM EST, 3 hours 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 24, 1:57 PM EST, 3 hours 33 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
257 PM EDT Sun Jun 24 2018

.NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]...

Isolated showers can be noted on radar across the Florida Panhandle
and marine area this afternoon. We will continue to see some
development over the next few hours with the best PoPs over the
Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region, but overall, the coverage
will remain below normal. This is the last day before we'll see our
PoPs return to more normal summertime values. With loss of daytime
heating, showers and thunderstorms will quickly diminish tonight,
however as some may linger after 00z, have included 10-20% for the
00-03z timeframe. Lows tonight will once again be in the mid 70s
with upper 70s along the coast. With these values, have the
potential to tie record high minimum temperature again at TLH (76
in 2010/1930).

.SHORT TERM [Monday Through Tuesday Night]...

Deep-layer, east-west oriented ridge axis will remain in place along
the Gulf Coast through the period. Temperatures will be typical of
summer, albeit a couple degrees above long-term averages. Look for
highs in the lower to mid 90s and lows mainly in the mid 70s. Heat
indices will fall short of local advisory criteria (108 degrees).
PoPs will be close to climatology in the 40-50% range for most
areas, slightly lower near the coast.

.LONG TERM [Wednesday Through Sunday]...

Nothing extraordinary is looming through next weekend, just typical
summertime weather. Look for scattered thunderstorms each day and
hot and humid conditions.

&&

.AVIATION [Through 18Z Monday]...

Scattered TSRA remain possible around the TAF sites, mainly TLH and
ECP, this afternoon with the storms diminishing after 00-01z. TSRA
is too isolated in nature to mention in the TAFs besides VC. Besides
any TSRA, VFR conditions are expected through the afternoon and
evening.

&&

.MARINE...

Winds will be mainly onshore and light, typical of summer, but
becoming more westerly for the middle and latter part of the week.
Seas will generally be 2 feet or less. Of course, winds and seas
will be locally higher in and near thunderstorms.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Hazardous fire weather conditions are not expected through much of
the next week. Chances for wetting rains will become more widespread
from mid week onward.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

Other than localized nuisance ponding of water in any brief heavy
downpours over the next several days, flooding is not currently a
concern.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   76  95  74  95  75 /  20  50  40  40  40
Panama City   79  91  77  90  77 /  10  30  20  30  30
Dothan        76  95  75  93  74 /  10  30  30  50  30
Albany        77  97  75  95  75 /  10  40  30  50  30
Valdosta      75  95  74  94  73 /  20  50  30  60  50
Cross City    76  93  74  92  74 /  10  30  40  40  50
Apalachicola  79  91  77  90  78 /  10  30  30  30  30

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...None.
&&

NEAR TERM...Fieux
SHORT TERM...Wool
LONG TERM...Wool
AVIATION...Fieux
MARINE...Wool
FIRE WEATHER...DVD
HYDROLOGY...Wool

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 24, 4:12 PM EST, 1 hour 18 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
412 PM CDT SUN JUN 24 2018

FLZ013-014-242145-
Calhoun FL-Inland Gulf FL-
412 PM CDT SUN JUN 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL GULF AND
SOUTHWESTERN CALHOUN COUNTIES IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA UNTIL 445
PM CDT...

At 412 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northwest of Stonemill Creek, or 18 miles southwest of
Blountstown, moving southeast at 5 mph.

Winds near 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Kinard, Broad Branch and Chipola Park.

LAT...LON 3023 8539 3042 8539 3046 8537 3041 8529
      3024 8512 3021 8518 3020 8519 3019 8519
      3010 8534
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 316DEG 5KT 3030 8532

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jun 24, 4:13 PM EST, 1 hour 17 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
413 PM CDT SUN JUN 24 2018

FLZ010-242145-
Washington FL-
413 PM CDT SUN JUN 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY
UNTIL 445 PM CDT...

At 413 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Vernon, moving northeast at 5 mph.

Winds near 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Wausau, Spring Hollow, Greenhead, Porter Lake and Riverside.

LAT...LON 3067 8564 3062 8548 3057 8549 3051 8549
      3044 8555 3048 8571
TIME...MOT...LOC 2113Z 222DEG 5KT 3053 8561

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jun 24, 4:16 PM EST, 1 hour 14 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
516 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

FLZ026-027-242145-
Liberty FL-Inland Wakulla FL-
516 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN WAKULLA AND
SOUTHEASTERN LIBERTY COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT...

At 515 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Crawfordville to 18 miles north of
Carrabelle. Movement was west at 10 mph.

Winds near 40 mph will be possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Crawfordville, East Camp, Jewel Fire Tower, Shadeville, Poplar Camp,
Smith Creek, Arran, Hilliardville, Twin Pole, Sanborn and Owens
Bridge.

LAT...LON 3013 8498 3030 8456 3030 8440 3021 8427
      3014 8439 3001 8470 3001 8484
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 078DEG 10KT 3022 8440 3011 8478

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jun 24, 4:44 PM EST, 46 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
544 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

FLZ015-026-115-242215-
Inland Franklin FL-Liberty FL-Coastal Franklin FL-
544 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL LIBERTY AND NORTH
CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...

At 544 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles northwest of Carrabelle, moving southwest at 20 mph.

Winds near 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Morgan Place, Twin Pole, Sumatra, Owens Bridge and Fort Gadsden.

LAT...LON 2990 8501 2993 8501 2999 8503 2999 8505
      3000 8506 3001 8508 3019 8489 3006 8467
      2983 8471
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 045DEG 15KT 3002 8484

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jun 24, 4:45 PM EST, 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
545 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

FLZ027-242200-
Inland Wakulla FL-
545 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN WAKULLA COUNTY UNTIL
600 PM EDT...

At 545 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles west of Crawfordville, moving southwest at 15 mph.

Winds near 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Sanborn and Smith Creek.

LAT...LON 3006 8461 3006 8463 3010 8465 3011 8465
      3012 8467 3017 8467 3019 8468 3022 8468
      3023 8470 3024 8470 3029 8462 3017 8448
      3004 8460
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 045DEG 15KT 3018 8461

42-DVD

Special weather statement, Jun 24, 5:06 PM EST, 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
606 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

FLZ015-026-115-242245-
Inland Franklin FL-Liberty FL-Coastal Franklin FL-
606 PM EDT SUN JUN 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN LIBERTY AND FRANKLIN
COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM EDT...

At 606 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles northwest of Carrabelle, moving southwest at 5 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Carrabelle, Eastpoint, Apalachicola, Franklin, Carrabelle Beach, Buck
Siding, Morgan Place, Royal Bluff, High Bluff, Yent Place, Beverly,
Green Point, Owens Bridge, Sumatra, Apalachicola Airport, Twin Pole,
Creels, Hays Place and Fort Gadsden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 2977 8502 2981 8502 2993 8500 2999 8503
      3000 8504 3002 8509 3006 8510 3017 8484
      2984 8462 2978 8474 2967 8504
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 057DEG 5KT 2998 8487

42-DVD

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

Wildfire, Coastal Franklin

When: June 24, 5:30 PM EST to June 26, 10:30 AM EST
Where: Coastal Franklin forecast zone
Property damage: $800,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.812, -84.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Wildfire: A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Florida, June 2018

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 752668.