Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Volusia County

Wildfire Near DeLand Reaches 800 Acres

ⓒ Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Written By

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.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

You May Also Like

Community

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: As of Friday morning, the Honeydew Fire is measured at 338 acres and is 80% contained according to the Volusia County...

Community

A leatherback sea turtle was spotted nesting in Volusia County on Sunday, the county confirmed in an announcement the following day. The turtle was...

Volusia County

A major expenditure was approved by the Volusia County Council to bolster the area’s affordable housing market on Tuesday. The $10.4 million investment, made...

Crime

22-year-old John Hagins, the man accused of threatening to conduct a mass shooting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has been sentenced to eight years in...

Community News

It’s not every day local law enforcement comes into contact with one of the largest fish on Earth, but that’s exactly what happened this...