Photos for Headline Surfer / ABOVE: At 5:30 a.m, Wednesday, New Smyrna Beach firefighters responded to reports of a brushfire at Sapphire Park. The fire area was 1/2 acre inside the scrub area. There was no damage to private property. The fire is out, but the area may have lingering smoke. surrounding him, creating an eery silhouette-like scene. LEFT: A massive fire south of SR 44 Thursday has consumed several hundred acres of woodland. The cause has not been determined, but there were reports by several residents near the Samsula landfill that someone was burning discarded waste without a permit.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- The “Honeydew Fire” has ravaged 300-plus acres of woodland near State Road 44 and Tomoka Farms Road since early Thursday evening, according to the Volusia County Professional Firefighters Association.
The Florida Forest Service, Volusia County Fire Rescue, and the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department all responded to the fire. No injuries have been reported.
What sparked the fire has yet to be determined, though several residents near the Samsula landfill say a man was seen burning waste and that he likely didn't have a permit to do so. County officials have declined comment.
Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn gave an early evening update: "The fire near the Samsula Landfill has grown to 75 acres. This is a spotty fire rather than one large fire. The Florida Division of Forestry, Volusia County Fire Rescue, and New Smyrna Beach Fire Department are on the scene with aerial reconnaissance from Air One, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
Kuehn said FireFlight, Flagler County’s helicopter, was getting ready to drop water on the fire shortly. DOF drives lines around the fire, and firefighters protect surrounding homes.
Firefighters have kept the flames from spreading to nearby residences along State Road 44 between North Cucumber Lane and the Samsula landfill on Thursday afternoon.
By early evening, the fire had grown to a hundred acres.
Still, Fire Chief Joe King relayed to Pat Kuehn, the PIO, that no homes were in immediate danger and, as such, no need for evacuations. Fueled by gusting winds, the fire had more than tripled in size before dawn. King's assessment hadn't changed overnight.
Still, Fire Chief Joe King relayed to Pat Kuehn, the PIO, that no homes were in immediate danger and, as such, no need for evacuations. Fueled by gusting winds, the fire had more than tripled in size by 8 p.m. King's assessment hadn't changed overnight.
Smoke was heavy at the intersection of S.R. 44 and Airport Road, where authorities put up "low visibility" warning signs along the road's shoulders.
Here was the latest update at 8 p.m.:
The Honeydew fire had consumed 300 acres of woodland and was 40% contained. The flames were Headed towards Hunting Camp Road.
The Volusia County Professional Firefighters ... City of New Smyrna Beach Fire Department
Florida Forest Service Helicopter ... Florida Forest Service - Bunnell District
Flagler County Fire Rescue Fire Flight ... Edgewater Fire-Rescue
#volusiacountyfire ... #VCFR ... #wildfire
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