Wild fires producing heavy smoke in Daytona Beach and DeLand

DELAND -- There is no immediate danger from two wild fires burning in Volusia County -- one in Daytona Beach and the other in DeLand -- though both continue to generate significant smoke, officials said this morning.

Firefighting crews from the Division of Forestry and Volusia County Fire Services, and personnel from Plum Creek Timber Company and the St. Johns River Water Management District, continue to work daily on the fires -- in Tiger Bay State Forest on Indian Lake Road in Daytona Beach, and Woody Tract, (between I-4 and U.S. 92, in DeLand.

"There is no threat to homes or structures from these fires, but they continue to generate significant smoke, said Shelley Szafraniec, spokeswoman for Volusia County Fire Services

Motorists traveling on roads in the area including I-4, U.S. 92, S.R. 40 and S.R. 11 should use caution when driving as they may encounter smoky conditions, especially at night and in the early morning. The Florida Highway Patrol has placed warning signs on the roads. Citizens and visitors are encouraged to monitor smoke conditions and the status of fires in Volusia County daily as weather can change fires quickly.

Indian Lake Fire: Estimated at 1,280 acres. Fire crews continue to plow fire lines, mop up areas that already have burned and work to
contain spotovers (burning embers that are carried by high winds over the fire lines). According to DOF, is it difficult to cut fire lines around parts of the fire because of swampy topography. Members of the DOF Interagency Incident Management Blue Team arrived today from throughout the state to assume oversight in a unified command with Volusia County Fire Services and DOF.

On Friday, DOF had 11 medium tractors, 11 heavy-duty dozers and a helicopter working at the fire. The St. Johns Water Management District had two brush trucks, a dozer and a tender (water carrier) to assist with the Indian Lake fire. Plum Creek Timber Company will have five medium dozers and one heavy-duty dozer working Friday. Volusia County Fires Services will have two brush attack trucks, a tender and members of the Fire Walker team on scene. (Fire Walkers represent a specialized team of career and volunteer personnel who have advanced training in fire behavior, strategy and tactics, incident management system positions and safety specific to wildland fires.)

Woody Tract Fire: Rremains at approximately 1,100 acres. Fire officials are monitoring the area for fire activity.

Fire Safety Reminder: Due to the dry conditions in Volusia County, citizens and visitors are reminded to practice fire safety at all times. Residents should take
action around their homes and businesses to make them more defensible in the event that a brush fire threatens. “Fire Wise” actions are
critical: clearing at least a 30-foot defensible space around structures, cleaning out gutters, using extreme caution when operating powered equipment and properly extinguishing all smoking materials. For tips on protecting homes and property this brush fire season, visit www.fl-dof.com.

Volusia County brush fire updates can be found at www.volusia.org/pin, the Web site of the Volusia/Flagler Public Information Network.