Update 8:52 a.m. 5/7/2020

According to the Florida Forest Service, the wildfire is currently burning 575 acres and is 60 percent contained.

The official cause of the fire has been determined to be burning of illegal materials.

Fire officials say at least 33 homes have been destroyed in the fire. The fire is at 575 acres and remains 60 percent contained.

Update 7:25 a.m. 5/7/2020

Officials with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office told NewsChannel 7 Thursday morning that the fire is now 65 percent contained. It has burned more than 600 acres.

Lt. Dustin Cosson says Highway 98 is open. However, commuters should exercise caution in the area of Thompson Drive as there is still the presence of smoke.

Cosson says officials are preparing for the possibility of more evacuations, though no additional evacuations have been ordered since last night.

The Department of Agriculture is currently investigating the fire. No arrests have been made in connection to the blaze at this time.

A wildland fire is burning in South Walton County FL and some evacuations are underway in the Mussett Bayou Area. Walton County Fire Rescue is assisting South Walton Fire District and Florida Forest Service with a large woods fire Wednesday evening. Authorities say the fire covers 550 acres and has destroyed 18 structures so far. The fire department says the fire started on Mussett Bayou Road and is moving south in Santa Rosa Beach. The fire department adds that Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. is in the process of evacuating houses and businesses along US Highway 98 and 30A.

Officials have confirmed that several homes on Thompson Drive have been consumed by the fire that has burned 500 acres in South Walton. The fire, which started near the bay, swept down to County Road 30A in the area of Thompson Drive, according to Corey Dobridnia, spokesperson for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. A shelter, staffed by WCSO school resource officers, is open at South Walton High School. Red Cross is providing food, water and bedding to evacuees, she said. Officials are hoping for the winds to die down.