HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- A large wildfire engulfing a remote area Jan. 31, 2026, drove 1st Special Operations Wing firefighters into action. Within a minute of the call, the team was geared up, in their trucks and speeding toward the flames.
The fire originated in a densely-forested area and was pushed south by winds up to 40 mph, burning approximately 40 acres of land. Hurlburt’s Engine 13 arrived on scene shortly after Florosa Fire Control District’s Engine 5 and Battalion 1 to extinguish the flames.
“Firefighters from Hurlburt Field and our mutual aid partners work side by side to combat all hazard emergencies on and off base,” said the Hurlburt Field assistant chief of operations. “Our relationship with our partners is built upon respect and a willingness to get the job done.”
Engine 13 and Engine 5 worked to extinguish spot fires, focusing on diverting the spread to structures in the area until heavy equipment arrived. Eglin’s Wildland Support Module firefighters arrived on the scene with bulldozers to reinforce the fireline.
According to the station chief, the fire was contained efficiently and without injury, and roughly $20 million worth of homes were saved.
The wildfire was in an endangered species habitat containing the Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander. Eglin’s Natural Resources Section Jackson Guard and the Air Force Wildland Fire Branch conduct prescribed fire operations to enhance endangered species habitats and reduce wildland fuels, allowing for more manageable wildfire suppression efforts.
“Without the prescribed fire operations, the wildland fire fuels and risk could have been much more significant,” said Thomas Harrision, Elgin Wildland Support Module lead. “The collaboration of the efforts and mutual aid partners allowed for a successful operation.”
The assistant chief of operations explained wildfires can start for many reasons, but no matter the cause, Hurlburt firefighters were ready to respond.
“Due to our extensive training and the help of our mutual aid partners, we were able to contain the fire without incident,” said the Hurlburt Field fire station chief. “We train to control the spread of the fire and defend property from being destroyed, and we executed that mission flawlessly.”
The 1st SOW trains continuously and works with local partners to ensure it is ready to respond … anytime, anywhere.