A massive wildfire ignited within the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Volusia County on Tuesday, according to emergency responders and park personnel. Size estimates have been as large as 1,000 acres, but both the Volusia County Professional Firefighters Association (VCPFA) and the Refuge have more recently stated that 800 acres is the approximate scope of the blaze.
A statement from the Volusia County Professional Firefighters Association on Tuesday claimed that no structures were endangered, but that smoke and ash would be present for those in the area of the fire. Residents of De Leon Springs, DeLand, and Port Orange have been among those who’ve reported noticing the effects. According to the VCPFA, lightning and very dry conditions are believed to have contributed in this situation.
Responders on-scene fighting the fire include personnel from the Florida Forest Service, Volusia County Fire Rescue, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The most recent update from the Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday just before 7:00 pm stated that the flames are 60% contained. When a wildfire is completely contained, that means a line has been plowed entirely around it and the fire should be kept from spreading further. Helicopters have been part of the response, dropping buckets of water onto the fire in an attempt to extinguish large swaths of it at once.
The fire was called the East Marsh Fire by emergency personnel. According to the Wildlife Refuge, the things are believed to have begun at around 6:30 pm on Monday, with the fire quickly spreading and growing to gargantuan proportions. The Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is closed until further notice as crews continue to work to control the fire and ultimately extinguish it.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
