WEATHER

Fire Weather Watch is now in effect

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the western panhandle for Friday and Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. due to gusty conditions and low relative humidity.

• Gusty winds and dry conditions (very low relative humidity) are expected again today across the southern portion of the area and will lead to elevated fire danger.

What does this mean? Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly today, so outdoor burning is NOT recommended.

Here are a few wildfire safety tips from the NWS:

• Create a safety zone of up to 100 feet around your home.
• Remove pine needles and dry leaves from around your home.
• Keep woodpiles at least 30 feet from your home.

On Thursday, South Walton Fire District firefighters, the Florida Forest Service and Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an outside fire in Santa Rosa Beach around 3:10pm.

The fire was located east of Serenoa Road and putting off a lot of smoke due to windy conditions. According to the SWFD, the fire was deeply embedded into the woods and was being quickly suppressed due to the efforts of tractor plow units and the natural fire breaks in the area.

• As of 4:25 p.m., the fire was 90% contained and spanned approximately 15 acres.
• As of 4:55 p.m., Florida Forest Service reported that the fire as 100% contained across 15 acres.

BEACH

Celebrate Earth Day with beach cleanups

Celebrate Earth Day by participating in The Earth Day Beach Cleanup on Saturday, April 23rd at 6 host locations along the Emerald Coast.

The Earth Day Cleanup event starts at 8:00 am and runs until 10:00 am on Saturday, April 23rd. Free event t-shirts will be available at each host location for the Earth Day Cleanup event on a first come, first serve basis.

• Enjoy coastal cleanup activities and fun, including a prize for the most cigarette butts collected!

Following the cleanup, a limited complimentary pancake breakfast will be available at select host locations. Pre-registered cleanup participants will receive a complimentary pancake breakfast at select host locations.

Register to reserve your t-shirt and breakfast (at select locations) by clicking here.

What do you need to bring?

To help conserve and reduce additional waste, participants are encouraged to B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Bucket), & cleanup equipment:

• Bucket or mesh bag for debris
• Reusable hand gloves or garden gloves (or trash pickers!)
• Reusable water bottle
• Don’t forget to protect yourself with sunscreen and sunglasses!

Cleanup locations:

• The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island (1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach)
• The Crab Trap, Destin (3500 Scenic Hwy 98 E, Destin)
• Henderson Beach State Park (17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin)
• Norriego Point (1 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin) – this is a beach cleanup as well as a paddleboard (water) cleanup
• Joe’s Bayou/Mattie Kelly Park (825 Beach Dr, Destin)
• Surf Hut, Miramar Beach (551 Scenic Gulf Dr, Destin)

BEACH SAFETY

Destin establishes Beach Flag Warning System consistent with Okaloosa beaches

On Monday, the Destin City Council unanimously voted to establish a beach flag warning system consistent with the system currently in place for unincorporated Okaloosa County.

At the January 3rd meeting, Councilmember Teresa Hebert moved to direct the City Manager to bring back the city’s beach ordinance for the double red flags in February with the goal of aligning the city’s and county’s beach safety regulations for consistent messaging and enforcement.

• Previously, the City of Destin had trouble enforcing the closing of the water to the public during double red flags.

Under the updated ordinance, all beaches within the City, and access points to beaches leading to the Gulf of Mexico within the City, will display a sign informing the public of the beach flag warning system.

• Beach vendors, contractors and other governmental entities are being encouraged to post the beach flag warning system sign in a prominent place at their business. 

Beach lifeguards will post the appropriate flags depicting current conditions at each designated beach from the second Saturday in March through the second weekend in October. 

• Warning flags will be raised when lifeguards are on duty and actively guarding and will be lowered when lifeguards leave the beach daily.

Enforcement of Beach Flag Warning System

The City Manager, City Manager’s designee, or the Okaloosa County Sheriff will have the authority to declare that a state of emergency exists and order the posting of double red flags prohibiting entry into the water. 

• This will apply to all City beaches and beach access ways.

Failure to comply with directions of lifeguards or law enforcement officers will be in violation, with a maximum $500 fine.

Those surfing with a leash attached are exempt.

EVENTS

Looking ahead at some events

Want your event featured? Add it to our events calendar!

April 8, 2022 – Mattie Kelly: Charles Payne – Free – View

April 9, 2022 – Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties’ Home Show – – View

April 9, 2022 – Introduction to the Italic Hand at Artful Things Niceville – $65.00 – View

April 10, 2022 – Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties’ Home Show – View

April 10, 2022 – Mattie Kelly: An Officer And A Gentleman – $50 – View

April 11, 2022 – North Okaloosa Community Band Spring Concert 2022 – Free – View

April 12, 2022 – Friends Guild to Host Jazz on the Lawn with Cheryl Jones on April 12th – Free – View

April 12, 2022 – Shells in Rivulets Watercolor ongoing class – $78.14 – View