Wildfire in Coastal Franklin, Florida

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.