Shake and Bake – Possible Cause of Eagle Nest Fire

Potential cause found in I-10 Eagle’s Nest Fire

Milton, FL – The Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement has released a suspectedcause of the I-10 Eagle’s Nest Fire after investigators from local Ag Law offices scoured the scene of the fire’s origin and found evidence linked to the one-pot – or shake and bake – method of making methamphetamine.

While the exact cause is not certain, based upon what was found at the scene – melted plastic bottles and other items used to make meth – investigators suspect it was a malfunction of a shaker bottle that started the fire.

Responding crews estimated the fire at15 acres on arrival and worked to cut it off. Wet, boggy soil and salt marshes prevented much progress for the tractor/plow units on scene and tactics quickly changed as the fire grew. Original rough estimates had the fire at 32 acres. Updated figures calculated through GPS mapping show it at 98 acres.

A burn out operation was started to eliminate unburned fuel ahead of the fire’s path and worked well as FFS wildland firefighters acted quickly cut the fire off before it reached Interstate 10.

Before the burn out began, winds blew hot embers and fire brands form the original fire over
I-10 and Mulat Bayou to the north and ignited a 10-acre spot fire on an island. The island fire was contained with assistance from Avalon Fire Department, the FWC and Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Total for the two fires is 108 acres.