July 6, 1998--10:45 a.m.
ONTINUES
Cindy Hancock Finney
Community Information SpecialistVolusia County Emergency Management officials were cautiously optimistic Monday morning that firefighters are winning the battle, but warned that the war against wildfires is far from over.
"We cannot let our guard down," said Jim Ryan, Emergency Management Director, noting that a measure of the County's dryness indicates desert conditions. "We must remember that these fires can quickly flare up again. We cannot underestimate the power of Mother Nature."
Total acreage burned or burning now in Volusia County totals 136,000. No new structures have been damaged. A ground superintendent with the U.S. Forest Service remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition at Halifax Medical Center after he was struck by a tree Saturday.
The Ormond Beach Airport has reopened. The only road closed is I-95 southbound from Brevard County to St. Augustine. I-95 north is open from Brevard through St. Johns County.
The U.S. Forest Service said Monday fires in Volusia are about 20 percent contained, meaning lines are built around these blazes and there is no more fuel for the fire to burn within these lines. Firefighting efforts today are expected to concentrate on the north sides of all fires to prevent flare ups, which may occur if the wind velocity picks up.
Thunderstorms Sunday which brought lightning sparked a few fires which were quickly extinguished or contained.
In other fire related news:
Disaster assistance is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for persons whose homes or businesses were damaged by the fires. Applications can be made by telephone by calling 1-800-462-9029. The TDD number for the speech or hearing impaired is 1-800-462-7585. Those calling should have on hand their Social Security number, address and zip code of the damaged property, directions to the damaged home or property and a daytime phone number. Assistance may include temporary housing or repairs, low interest loans or grant.
With the lifting of the Flagler County mandatory evacuation order, the American Red Cross planned to consolidate the number of shelter open. Approximately 467 people spent the night in shelters last night.
Donations of sodas, particularly diet sodas are needed, along with packaged snacks, cans of ground coffee and small, individually wrapped packages of sunscreen. Donations can be brought to the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center, 49 Keyton Dr., Daytona Beach (off Indian Lake Dr. west of Daytona Beach).
There have been reports of people soliciting money door to door for firefighting relief efforts. Citizens are advised to check to ensure the organization is legitimate before making a donations.
Comments or questions?
E-mail the
Copyright © 1997 Volusia County, Florida.