VOLUSIA COUNTY SITUATION REPORT # 63
(status changes made since last report shown in bold black type)
EVENT: WILDFIRES 1998
DATE / TIME: July 9, 1998 @ 09:00 hrs
EOC HOURS OF OPERATION: 08:00 to 17:00 (Hours dependent on fire situation)
EOC BRIEFING TIMES: 09:00 AND 15:00
EOC ACTIVATION LEVEL : 2 (The following ESFs have been released from the EOC -3,6,8,10,12,16, and 20)
LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION : ORIGINALLY ISSUED JUNE 22, 1998 AT 1 P.M. RETROACTIVE TO JUNE 20, 1998
DATE OF EXPIRATION : The expiration date of the original declaration has been extended to July 18, 1998.
CONTACT NUMBERS FOR COUNTY EOC AND PIO: (386) 254-1500
COUNTY ESF-5 FAX : (386) 258-4096
SUMMARY OF FIRE ACTIVITY
PRESENT STATUS: Fires are generally contained, and mop up operations continue. All hotspots are apparently within established lines. No new fires were reported during the night of July 8th.
LOCATION(S) OF FIRES TO DATE : Fires have occured across the county. Major fire areas are summarized below:
Pierson - This fire is located on the north side of the Town of Pierson. Controlled burns are continuing northwest of the town, west of US 17 and north of the Pierson Airport. Local firefighting forces are assisting the Divison of Forestry in these efforts.
Law Camp - This fire is presently contained.
Quail Ridge- This fire is presently contained.
Lafayette fire - This fire is presently contained.
Ranchette Road - This fire is presently contained.
Mary Farms fire - This fire has consumed approximately, 3500 acres and is contained.
Indian Lake Road area fire(s) - This fire is presently contained.
County Road 3 - This fire is presently contained.
Shunz Road fire - This fire is presently contained.
Lake Woodruff - This fire continues to burn and is generating considerable quantities of smoke. The fire is presently contained.
Lake Harney area - This fire is presently contained.
Edgewater/Cranes Swamp - This fire is presently contained.
Neighboring Counties: Fires which originated in neighboring counties (Flagler and Brevard) and entered Volusia County are continuing to be monitored for additional impact for Volusia County resources, fire fighters and/or shelters. Flagler County EOC is receiving mutual aid assistance in fighting these fires.
ACREAGE IMPACTED BY WILDFIRES: Estimated culminative total is approximately: 137,000 acres
SUPPRESSION EFFORTS UNDERWAY : The policy is to protect life first. Protection of structures will be prioritized based on field conditions. Air reconnaissance flights are being flown to map fire locations by the U.S. Forest Service out of New Smyrna Beach and DeLand airports. Fire activity is being monitored for break outs and hot spots. Suppression of new fires from lightning strikes is a priority. Controlled fires are being undertaken where/when appropriate. Approximately 244 miles of fire breaks have been installed. Widening of several existing fire breaks and installation of an additional 67 miles of fire breaks are underway.
MUTUAL AID: Out-of-county fire fighting crews are being demobilized and remaining crews are on a rotating schedule.
INJURIES / CASUALTIES
INJURIES (MINOR) TO DATE : 10 (firefighters) + 1 fire contractor
FATALITIES TO DATE : 0
MISSING PERSONS TO DATE : 0
STATUS OF MISSING PERSONS : N/A
PROPERTY / INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTED
HOMES THREATENED : Cumulatively, approximately 29,000 homes were threatened in various areas around Volusia County (including 20,000 homes in the Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach area).
*HOMES DESTROYED/DAMAGED : 6 single family residences destroyed, 2 single family residences with minor damage; also 1 destroyed mobile home , and 10 mobile homes with minor damage.
*BUSINESSES THREATENED : 0
*BUSINESSES DAMAGED/DESTROYED : 2 destroyed, 2 with major damage, 4 with minor damage
*OTHER STRUCTURES THREATENED : 0
*OTHER STRUCTURES DAMAGED : Unknown
*OTHER STRUCTURES DESTROYED : 15 (miscellaneous hunting camp structures)
*VEHICLES DAMAGED : 3 (two automobiles and a boat)
*VEHICLES DESTROYED : Unknown
*See attached table for further information on affected properties. Data is preliminary and is subject to revision base upon continuing field evaluations.
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTED: All roads are open.
EVACUATIONS / SHELTERS
AREA(S) EVACUATED:
Voluntary Evacuation Areas: NONE - All voluntary evacuations have been lifted.
Mandatory Evacuations: NONE - All mandatory evacuations have been lifted.
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS EVACUATED: Estimated cumulative total for event: 29,000.
NUMBER OF EVACUEES : Unknown; however, estimated at several thousand.
SHELTERS (coordinated by the American Red Cross) :
SHELTERS OPEN: None
SHELTER POPULATION: 0
SHELTERS ON STANDBY: All shelters are on standby or closed.
MISCELLANEOUS
FINANCIAL: Daily costs are estimated at $155,000 per day excluding state-wide mutual aid and additional expenditures from municipalities.
FEDERAL OVERHEAD SOUTHERN BLUE TEAM: Incident Command Post has been established at the Volusia County Fairgrounds on SR 44, east of I-4 and the City of DeLand.
ANTICIPATED WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON OF JULY 9th: West/Southwesterly winds are gradually expected to increase throughout the period. Wind speed is expected to be approximately 15 knots, with possible gusts. These winds will limit the inland extend of the east coast seabreeze. Lower Relative Humidity is expected. Rainfall coverage will be less today than the previous two days.
SUPPORT: A logistical staging area for incoming federal and state resources to support Volusia and surrounding counties have been established at the Daytona International Speedway. State Division of Emergency Management contact is Eric Gentry at (850) 509-9047.
DONATIONS: All First Union Banks are taking monetary donations for the Volusia County Fire Relief Fund. Cash donations will be put directly into a special account for firefighting efforts.
ESTIMATED LOSS: Preliminary estimated value of loss structures (residential, industrial and commercial) to date is $2.1 million dollars. Preliminary estimated value of timber loss is $60-$70 million.
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE: To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has distributed approximately $17,000 to victims, primarily for costs associated with residential evacuations. Amendment to the notice for the State of Florida (FEMA-1223-DR) dated June 18, 1998, makes available Category B Public Assistance program funds to Volusia County. Representatives from the State Division of Emergency Management have postponed the Thursday, July 9, 1998 9:00 a.m briefing on billing and reimbursement issues. The briefing will be rescheduled for a date, time and location to be announced. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will be establishing a local Outreach Center to accept loan applications. The location and hours of operation of this office will be determined in the near future.
MEDICAL: Since the beginning of the fire event, approximately 400 individuals have appeared in local hospitals complaining of respiratory problems. Of these, approximately 30 were admitted.
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