SAND BEACH 3

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Sand Beach 3 Fire was reported on Monday, April 20, 2026, in Franklin County, Florida.
Size and Containment: As of April 22, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 500 acres and is currently 50% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Specific details regarding the fire's initial growth, rate of spread, and specific fuel types have not been publicly released at this time.
Containment Efforts: Firefighting crews have achieved 50% containment and continue to work on the incident to establish full control lines. Specific details on the unified command, responding agencies, and operational costs for this specific incident are not publicly available.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders reported for the Sand Beach 3 Fire.
Evacuation Warnings: There are no evacuation warnings in place at this time.
Curfew: No curfews have been enacted.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Because there are no evacuations, no specific evacuation shelters have been opened, and there is no estimated number of people displaced.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• There are no reported road, school, or infrastructure closures associated with this fire at this time.

For more information, visit:

• Florida Forest Service Current Wildfires
• Franklin County Emergency Management
• Florida Disaster - Division of Emergency Management

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Sand Beach 3 Fire.
Structures Impacted: There are no reports of structures being threatened, damaged, or destroyed by this fire.
School and Business Closures: No school or business closures have been reported.
Notable Impacts: Information regarding specific community or structural impacts is currently unavailable.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No power outages have been reported in connection with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: Burn bans are in effect for 38 counties across Florida due to the historic statewide drought and extreme fire danger.
Air Quality: While specific local air quality alerts for this fire are not detailed, the broader region is experiencing elevated fire weather risks and smoke impacts from over 100 active wildfires burning across the state.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire is currently 50% contained. Specific projections for full containment have not been released, but crews continue to work on the incident to establish full control lines.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Warnings have been issued across most of Florida, including the Panhandle and Gulf Coast, due to a dangerous combination of critically dry air and gusty winds.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Sand Beach 3 Fire is currently unavailable and has not been publicly released.
Weather and Climate: The fire is burning against the backdrop of a historic drought—the worst Florida has seen in 25 years. More than 96% of the Southeast is experiencing drought conditions, leading to significantly elevated fire weather risks. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and exceptionally dry fuels has contributed to extreme fire behavior and a surge of over 100 active wildfires across the state.

For more information, visit:

• Florida Forest Service Current Wildfires
• Franklin County Emergency Management
• Florida Disaster - Division of Emergency Management