Baker Fire District

05/28/2026

PSA

If you have any issues, concerns, or just want to visit your local Fire Department, we hold meetings every Thursday at 1900 except the 4th Thursday of each month, which is reserved for mutual aid training. You can also contact Chief McKenzie at 850-398-7677 or email [email protected]. Assistant Chief Fularz can be reached at 850-758-3534 or email [email protected]

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities and our nation. To the heroes who ran toward danger and the families who supported them, we stand with you in gratitude and remembrance. May we never forget those who gave their all. 🇺🇸🚒

05/04/2026

🚨 Traffic Alert – I-10 Westbound 🚨

If you’re headed toward Pensacola, please be advised there is an accident on I-10 at the 42.5 mile marker and traffic is currently backed up.

Please use caution, expect delays, and consider alternate routes if possible. Slow down and watch for first responders working in the area.

As always—eyes on the road, not your phone. We’d rather see you arrive late than become part of the problem. 🚒🚑🚓

We’ll share updates as we receive them.

04/21/2026

In case you see a large cloud of smoke tomorrow. Eglin is doing a burn in a closed portion of the reservation.

04/17/2026

No burn ban yet, but we are getting close. Please do not burn unless you have to. Be assured, Baker FD is ready and equipped to respond to any emergency.

Persistent Drought Conditions Increase Chances for Wildfire 🔥
****There is no burn ban as of Thursday, April 16, 2026****

Okaloosa County officials are working closely with the Florida Forest Service to monitor conditions and evaluate the need for possible burn bans. One such condition is the Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI). KBDI is a continuous reference scale to estimate the dryness of the soil. The index increases for each day without rain (the amount of increase depends on the daily high temperature) and decreases when it rains. The scale ranges from 0 (no moisture deficit) to 800 (high moisture deficit).

Average KBDI for our areas is 423 (412 Escambia, 402 Okaloosa and 446 Santa Rosa). Normal range for late spring is 261-460, according to the Florida Forest Service.

As our area continues to feel the effects of prolonged drought, the risk of wildfires steadily increases and officials are urging extreme caution for any and all outdoor burning or potentially hazardous activities.

While there are no county-issued burn bans in place at this time, residents should refrain from burning yard debris, be extremely careful with any campfires or cooking fires and be mindful when parking vehicles, ATVs, etc., in tall, grass or over leaves.

Seventy-percent of all wildfires in our area last year were human caused and avoidable with nearly 50% of the causes coming from yard debris or equipment/vehicle use.

Drought conditions are not expected to dissipate in the near future and the Florida Forest Service has suspended authorizations for prescribed burning and large pile burning until further notice.

A prolonged drought results in a high KBDI and influences fire intensity largely because more fuel is available for combustion (i.e. fuels have a lower moisture content). In addition, the drying of organic material in the soil can lead to increased difficulty in fire suppression and significant smoke production.

Other weather factors, such as wind, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric stability, play a major role in determining the actual fire danger.

04/13/2026

Baker and Holt FD working together.

04/11/2026

You never know what’s going to happen any given day in the fire service. Today was not the norm, but we are so thankful for our neighbors from Holt Fire District as well as Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office for their assistance tonight.

03/21/2026

Baker Fire District would like to thank Black Rifle Coffee Company Niceville for generously donating coffee for the upcoming Old Spanish Trail Rodeo on March 28 and 29 at Baker Area Recreation Association Inc.

We want to thank Black Rifle Coffee Company Niceville for their generous donation of their amazing coffee to support Baker firefighters and the Old Spanish Trail Pro Rodeo! 🤩

Baker Fire District will be fueled to serve our community more than ever! 🔥 ☕️

We are proud to offer Black Rifle Coffee at this year’s Rodeo!

📍 March 28-29, 2026
Baker, FL

For tickets 🎟️ link below 👇

https://bakerarena.com/oldspanishtrailrodeo.php

03/19/2026

Next week SEMS will be inspecting, and flow testing hydrants in the Baker area. It is required for our ISO rating. All hydrants are flowed and inspected annually.

03/16/2026

🚨 FREEZE WARNING FOR HOLT AREA 🚨

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning from 10 PM Monday until 9 AM Tuesday for areas along and north of the I-10 corridor — which includes us here in Holt.

🌡️ Temperatures are expected to drop between 28–32 degrees, which can cause damage to plants, pipes, and sensitive vegetation.

🔥 Holt Fire District Reminder – The 5 P’s of Cold Weather Prep:
• People – Dress warm and check on elderly neighbors.
• Pets – Bring them inside or provide warm shelter.
• Pipes – Cover exposed pipes and let faucets drip if needed.
• Plants – Cover sensitive plants tonight.
• Practice Fire Safety – Use heaters safely and never use a stove to heat your home.

⚠️ Space Heater Safety:
• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn
• Make sure heaters have an automatic shutoff
• Never leave heaters unattended.

…so take a few minutes today to prepare.

Stay warm Holt family and look out for one another. ❤️🚒