63. Outdoor fire ban lifted in mid-June for unincorporated Volusia County, Oak Hill, Pierson and Lake Helen

State Road 44 in Samsula, FL.

Headline Surfer photo and video by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Smoke chokes the air in the woods of Pioneer Trail in Samsula near New Smyrna Beach as shown in this video in mid-March. A sign on State Road 44 in Samsula cautions motorists to be alert for smoke.

SAMSULA -- A 55-acre fire that raged in the woods of Pioneer Trail left the unmistakable stench of smoke for days in March. That fire was extinguished but with dry conditions and a lack of rain, county officials continued an outdoor burn ban for the small communities of Oak Hill, Pierson, Lake Helen and all areas in unincorporated Volusia County until mid-June when four days of rain brought needed relief.

The spring outdoor burn ban comes in at No. 63 in Headline Surfer's countdown of the top 100 local stories of 2012.

The ban was instituted by Volusia County Fire Services Director Mark Piland, whose edict was succinct: "Due to extremely dry conditions and the threat of wildfires, outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Volusia County and the cities of Pierson, Oak Hill and Lake Helen until further notice. 

Top 100 Countdown Recap:

63. Outdoor fire ban lifted in mid-June for unincorporated Volusia County, Oak Hill, Pierson and Lake Helen
64. NSBHS graduating seniors receive $2.2 million in scholarships Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/411347-64-nsbhs-graduating-seniors-receive-22-million-scholarships
65. VCSO: Man murdered in Osteen may be linked to drug growing operations
66. Circuit judge: Death sentence stands for Deltona Xbox mass murderer
67. Murderous rampage: Port Orange man kills own son and a camper at RV park in Deerfield Beach before killing himself
68. Alleged New Smyrna Beach serial arsonist nabbed by Volusia County Sheriff's investigators
69. Feds: NSB man gets 12 years in prison for kiddie porn
70. NASCAR promotes management talent into senior ranks
71. Deputy shoots and kills DeLeon Springs man after rifle pointed at him while trying to serve warrant
72. Bike Week body paint model at Cabbage Patch outside NSB strikes a pose
73. Palm Coast man gets sentence of at least 25 years in prison for robbing Ormond Beach pharmacy of painkillers
74. Edgewater police chief relieved accused killer who dumped bodies here captured
75. Port Orange man dies in fire; blaze contained to victim's apartment
76. Santa brings toys for tots to NSB via train
77. Ocassional NSB resident Johnny Damon signs with Cleveland Indians
78. NSBHS students of driving age learn importance of organ donation
79. Edgewater man killed after being struck by train while throwing rocks at it
80. County Council breaks bread with Daytona Area Chamber of Commerce
81. Body of 55-year-old DeBary man found in charred remains of home
82. Crossdresser rebuffed in trying to rob Deltona pharmacy of pills
83. Deltona pit bull 'Snoopy' back home
84. Ormond Beach cops: Man driving upwards of 150 mph in Lamborghini killed on US 1
85. NSB cops: Motorist arrested on fourth DUI charge
86. Postal truck becomes engulfed in flames in Edgewater, but mail salvaged
87. New Smyrna Beach Finance Dept. wins national award
88. Sad irony: Elderly man drowns in river named for death
89. NSB Fire Chief Dave McAllister among community award winners by Volusia League of Cities
90. Unlicensed 17-year-old Orange City boy runs over and kills 84-year-old woman in Deltona shopping plaza
91. NSB City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe gets new contract; 20 weeks compensation if canned
92. Votran bus operator drives 2 million miles on Volusia County roads without an accident
93. Jason McGuirk gets Jim Hathaway's seat on NSB commission
94. Holly Hill woman calls in bomb threat at work forcing evacuation of 300; tells cops she was bored
95. Sheriff holds open house in Oak Hill six months after taking over law enforcement duties
96. Audio: Cop pursuit in New Smyrna Beach with speeds clocked at 100 mph-plus ends with stop sticks
97. Ponce Inlet Councilman Joseph Perrone holds onto his seat by one vote
98. Edgewater's Tia McDonald featured in book while visiting Australia
99. Gene Emter wins Edgewater City Council seat by 12-vote margin in special election Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/410884-99-gene-emter-wins-edgewater-city-council-seat-12-vote-margin-special-election
100. Chip Ganassi cars finish 1-2 in Rolex at Daytona
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