DELAND -- Tthe fires at the Woody Tract in DeLand and Indian Lake in Daytona Beach are 100 percent contained and fire weather forecasters are predicting a return to “typical” Florida springtime weather - dry, sunny and breezy. However, a burn ban remains in place in unincorporated areas of Volusia County, officials said.
However, the rain may not be enough to alleviate totally the dry conditions. According to the Keech-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), 34 percent of Volusia County remains about 600 and 75 percent remains above 500. The KBDI is on a scale of 1 to 800 (saturation to desert dry). According to local fire officials, a significant amount of rain is needed over an extended period of time to alleviate the dry conditions.
The burn ban was enacted Jan. 21 and also applies to the cities of DeBary, Oak Hill and Lake Helen, and the Town of Pierson. The cities of Deltona and Holly Hill also have a burn ban. Citizens in other areas of Volusia County should check with their local municipality for any restrictions.
Carelessness and arson cause two of every three wildfires in Florida, according to Timber Weller, public information officer with the Florida Division of Forestry.
“This year Florida has experienced more than 1,500 wildfires that have burned more than 42,200 acres,” Weller sad. “With these fires, 17 percent were caused by arson and 33 percent were caused when citizens were burning debris and the fire escaped. Anyone who causes a wildfire, whether intentionally or through carelessness may be held responsible for the costs of extinguishing it and for whatever damages the fire may cause.”
Under the burn ban, all outdoor burning, unless authorized by the Florida Division of Forestry, is prohibited. This includes the burning of yard trash, household paper products, bonfires, campfires, warming fires and cooking fires. Outdoor cooking done with a contained gas or charcoal grill (excluding a fire pit) is the only exception.
Violations of the ban are punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or imprisonment in county jail for up to 60 days. Personnel from Volusia County Fire Services will issue violation notices to any person violating the burn ban and also will extinguish any fire not authorized by the Florida Division of Forestry.