MEMORANDUM

TO: Members of the Press
FROM: Taryn Fenske, Communications Director, Governor Ron DeSantis
DATE: March 5, 2022
RE: Executive Order 22-55 (Emergency Management – Northwest Florida Wildfires – Amending Executive Order 22-54)

Good afternoon:

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-55 (Emergency Management – Northwest Florida Wildfires – Amending Executive Order 22-54), which expands the State of Emergency to include Calhoun and Gulf counties.

A copy of Executive Order 22-55 is provided below. A PDF copy is available here.

Sincerely,

Taryn Fenske
Director of Communications
Governor Ron DeSantis

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STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 22-55
(Emergency Management – Northwest Florida Wildfires Wildfires – Amending Executive Order 22-54)

WHEREAS, on March 4, 2022, I issued Executive Order 22-54 declaring a state of emergency exists due to the dangers presented by the wildfire located in Bay County; and

WHEREAS, due to the lack of recent rainfall, strong winds, and an increase in drought conditions, another wildfire developed over Northwest Florida and has burned approximately 3,000 acres with a containment of 10 percent; and

WHEREAS, this Executive Order amends Executive Order 22-54 as provided herein; and

WHEREAS, as Governor of Florida, I am responsible to meet the dangers presented to Florida and its people by this emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section l(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:

Section 1. Section 1 of Executive Order 22-54 is amended to read as follows: Because of the foregoing conditions, which are projected to constitute a major disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists in Bay, Calhoun, and Gulf counties.

Section 2. Except as amended herein, Executive Order 22-54 is ratified and reaffirmed.

Section 3. This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall expire upon the expiration of Executive Order 22-54.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at the Capital, Tallahassee, Florida, this 5th day of March, 2022.