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Courtesy graphic / Rain could be the biggest weapon deployed by firefighters today in quelling the local wild fires, including the biggest -- the Maytown Road Fire that straddles Oak Hill and Osteen with 2,397 acres burned since June 13. That fire is 90 percent contained. Click on the attachment below to see the spate of wild fires across the Sunshine State.NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Volusia County Council has extended the declaration of local emergency for seven days.
The action taken Wednesday extends the original declaration issued June 15. Now all that is needed today is some badly needed rain.
There's a 30 percent chance of that, according to the 7 a.m. forecast for greater New Smyrna Beach by the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
County declarations allow counties to “waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required by law and to take whatever action is prudent and necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their citizens,” said Pat Kuehn, a Volusia County spokeswoman.
One new brush fire - near Osteen-Maytown and Maytown Spur roads - was reported Wednesday, but Division of Forestry crews quickly contained the 1.5-acre blaze.
Several fires were declared “dead out,” bringing the total number of fires in Volusia County to 40. Seven of those fires are considered active, and two are not contained.
The Maytown Road Fire, which has burned 2,397 acres since June 13, is 90 percent contained.
Despite fighting active flames, firefighters Wednesday were able to increase the containment on the Little Haw Creek Fire west of Ormond Beach from 60 to 80 percent.
There are no evacuations or road closures at this time.
Residents should call 9-1-1 if they see active flames or heavy columns of smoke, but they should not report widespread or generally smoky conditions. Fire officials urge residents to remain informed about current conditions and warnings by checking www.volusia.org/pin and listening to local news media outlets. They should review personal preparedness plans, make checklists, stock disaster supply kits, and be prepared to evacuate quickly if homes are threatened.
For updated fire information, please visit www.volusia.org/pin.
Courtesy graphic / Here is the most recent pinpointing of wild fires in Volusia County.
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