Eglin wildfire

Currently, the wildfire is approximately 2,800 acres on Eglin's reservation just northwest of Hurlburt Field's runway in a swampy area that is not accessible by ground vehicles. This fire is a re-ignition of a prescribed burn held May 15, when conditions were perfect for burning. Fire is northwest of Hurlburt's runway in a swampy area inaccessible to ground equipment and personnel. No structures threatened at this time. The fire will continue to smolder until there's significant rainfall, according to Mike Spaits, Team Eglin Public Affairs. While the fire is still creating smoke, there is no immediate/near-term threat or danger to human health or local residences and Eglin is taking steps to abate long-term threats to the local area, according to Spaits. The fire did not grow overnight and a thunderstorm rained approximately one to one and a half inches. One helicopter is dropping water today. The fire is 90 percent contained. (Courtesy photo)

Eglin wildfire

Currently, the wildfire is approximately 2,800 acres on Eglin's reservation just northwest of Hurlburt Field's runway in a swampy area that is not accessible by ground vehicles. This fire is a re-ignition of a prescribed burn held May 15, when conditions were perfect for burning. Fire is northwest of Hurlburt's runway in a swampy area inaccessible to ground equipment and personnel. No structures threatened at this time. The fire will continue to smolder until there's significant rainfall, according to Mike Spaits, Team Eglin Public Affairs. While the fire is still creating smoke, there is no immediate/near-term threat or danger to human health or local residences and Eglin is taking steps to abate long-term threats to the local area, according to Spaits. The fire did not grow overnight and a thunderstorm rained approximately one to one and a half inches. One helicopter is dropping water today. The fire is 90 percent contained. (Courtesy photo)

Earth day event

(From left) Two members of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion reptile display greet Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, and Col. Sal Nodjomian, 96th Air Base Wing commander at an Earth Day event at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 20. More than 400 students from Eglin Elementary School attended the event which boasted displays on energy awareness, pollution prevention, wildlife, and cultural resources management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Spaits)

Green greeting

Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, is welcomed by Eglin Elementary School students as he arrived at the Earth Day event at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 20. Yonkers was at Eglin attending the event with more than 400 students from the school. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Spaits)

Eco tour

Jerry Melvin, a local historian, shows off his collection of turpentine artifacts found throughout Eglin and the surrounding area. The turpentine industry was the primary industry in northwest Florida from the late 1800 to the early 1900s. The display was part of a walking “eco-tour” on Eglin reservation near White Point in celebration of Eglin’s Earth Week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Eco Trail tour

Brett Williams, 96th Civil Engineer Group fire ecologist with Jackson Guard, explains how the forests in and around Eglin reservation are “fire dependant” ecosystems, April 17. According to Williams, the forest requires fire every three years to maintain a sustainable habitat for the indigenous wildlife and vegetation. Many native plants and animal species depend on Eglin's fire-dependent long-leaf pine ecosystem, 11 of which are federally protected. Endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, depend on fire that is typically caused by either lightning strikes or Eglin's resident fire managers to survive. The display was part of a walking “eco-tour” on Eglin reservation near White Point in celebration of Eglin’s Earth Week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)