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1:15 p.m.
May 11, 2009
Contacts:
Shelley Szafraniec (386) 804-2195
Pat Kuehn (386) 748-3989

BRUSH FIRE NEAR LAKE HARNEY CONSUMES 1,000 ACRES

More than 60 firefighters and other public safety personnel continue to fight the fire threatening Lake Harney Woods subdivision in southern Volusia County. The fire has grown to 1,000 acres since it was reported at 3:51 p.m. Sunday.

There are no mandatory evacuations or road closures at this time. Because smoke from the fire is rising, there are no smoke concerns for any roads in the area.

The fire began southwest of the subdivision and burned north to northeast through the west end of the subdivision and to the north. Due to the extreme fire weather, the fire burned intensely and spread quickly. Fire officials anticipate similar fire behavior today.

There are about 200 to 220 homes in the area. Firefighters are protecting about two dozen homes, barns and sheds. Two sheds a barn and pump house have been damaged.

Firefighting apparatus working the brush fire today includes:

• 11 Division of Forestry (DOF) bulldozers
• Division of Forestry helicopter
• Two engines, one water carrier and two brush trucks from Volusia County Fire Services
• Two brush attack trucks from the county’s strategic reserve team
• Two bulldozers from Volusia County’s Road and Bridge Division

Burn ban continues

Due to the extremely dry conditions, citizens are reminded that there is an outdoor burn ban in Volusia County. The ban covers unincorporated areas of the county, DeBary, Oak Hill, Lake Helen and Pierson.

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.

Wildfire safety tips

• Do not discard cigarettes from moving vehicles; use ashtrays.
• When pulling off the side of the road, stay off dry grass areas.
• Do not operate all-terrain vehicles on dry vegetation areas.
• Check lawnmowers and farm equipment for properly working spark arresters.
• Properly extinguish fires when cooking outdoors and never leave fires unattended.
• People start most wildfires. Promote and practice fire safety with all members of your family.
• Clearly mark all driveway entrances with name and address.
• Plan several escape routes away from your home both by car and on foot.

Protect your home

• Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Allow a 30-foot buffer of non-combustible material around your home.
• Use non-combustible materials on the roof and regularly clean the roof and gutters.
• Teach family members how to use a fire extinguisher. Install and regularly test smoke detectors.
• Inspect chimneys twice a year and clean them once a year.
• Rake leaves and dead limbs and twigs. Clear all flammable vegetation.
• Have a garden hose long enough to reach any area of your home and property.

When wildfire threatens

• Listen to the media or a NOAA weather alert radio for emergency messages about the location of the danger.
• Prepare your family, pets and supplies in case you have to evacuate.
• If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.
• If evacuating, tell someone you are leaving and where you are going. Drive a route away from fire hazards and listen to public safety officials.

For more information on fire safety, please visit the DOF web site at www.fl-dof.com.

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