VOLUSIA COUNTYSITUATION REPORT #
29
(status changes made since last report shown in bold black
type)
EVENT: Wildfires 98
DATE / TIME: June 26, 1998 15:00 hrs
EOC ACTIVATION LEVEL: 3
LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION: ISSUED JUNE
22, 1998 AT 1 P.M. RETROACTIVE TO JUNE 20, 1998
DATE OF EXPIRATION: June 27, 1998. It is a 7 day
local state of emergency which can be extended in 7 day increments as necessary.
CONTACT NUMBERS FOR COUNTY EOC AND PIO:
(904)254-1500
NUMBER OF FIRES TO DATE:
64
LOCATION(S) OF FIRES TO DATE: FIRES LOCATED
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY
DUE TO NUMBER OF FIRES AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE, REPORT FOCUSES UPON
MAJOR/SIGNIFICANT FIRES ONLY. OTHER SMALLER FIRES MAY BE PRESENT AND CONTINUOUS TRACKING
OF THESE FIRES IS DIFFICULT. SIMILARLY, PREVIOUSLY KNOWN SMALLER FIRES WHICH HAVE BEEN
BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SYNOPSIS.
NUMBER OF MAJOR/SIGNIFICANT FIRES CURRENTLY ACTIVE:
12
ACREAGE OF FIRES CURRENTLY ACTIVE: ESTIMATED TOTAL
ACREAGE, APPROXIMATELY 70,000+
LOCATIONS OF MAJOR/SIGNIFICANT FIRES:
1. LAFAYETTE LANDINGS COMPLEX --- Includes fires previously designated as Clark Bay
(west of Daytona Beach) and Lafayette Landings (east of SR 11, north of DeLand. Central
Volusia County off US 92 and east of SR 11 north of DeLand. Partially contained. Creeping
to the east threatening City of Daytona Beach well fields. The immediate area near
Plantation Pines has flared up causing mandatory evacuation of 197+- homes. After
deployment of numerous aircraft, dozers and tractors, firefighters successfully defended
the Plantation Pine subdivision. The fire is no longer an immediate threat to the
subdivision and residents were allowed back in the area last night. The fire might make a
run in the afternoon for Daytona Highridge Estates and Daytona Park Estates subdivision.
This fire has now joined with the fires along SR 40 and to the large fire in the middle of
Flagler County. The strategy to backfire the left side of this fire still remains, weather
permitting.
2. SHUNZ ROAD (West of Port Orange) NW of Tomoka Farms subdivision and SW of county
landfill off SR 415. East side of Shunz Road fire is currently contained. This fire
has merged with the Guava fire and is now one larger fire. The fire is heading northwest
with flames visible from I-4. Voluntary relocation. This fire has advanced towards Pioneer
Trail and SR 44. Though not previously reported, this fire has joined with the larger
Lafayette Landing fire located to the north across I-4. The southern perimeter has been
contained.
3. LAKE HARNEY ROAD MAYTOWN OSTEEN ROAD- This fire is in the mop up stage and is
currently being handled by inmate crews.
4. SUNDY TRAIL (WEST OF NEW SMYRNA BEACH)-- The area also includes Damascus Road south
of SR 44 in the vicinity of Sundy Trail east of DeLand. The Damascus Road fire is now
considered separate from Sundy Trail. Fairly well contained, however a new fire located
North of SR 44 has been discovered and burning out of control. This fire has now joined
the Lafayette fire.
5. SR 40/BUCKSKIN LANE IN THE RODEO ACRES AREA, WEST OF ORMOND BEACH. This pre-existing
fire jumped SR 40 earlier. The status of containment unknown at this time. However it is
expected to join the Lafayette fire this afternoon.
6 . LAKE WOODRUFF (West of Highway 17, northwest of DeLeon Springs). This fire being
allowed to burn itself out and poses no threat to life or structures.
7. COUNTY ROAD 3/STONE ROAD, SOUTH OF SR 4O BARBERVILLE AREA. No apparent threat to
people or buildings at this time. This fire being allowed to burn itself out and poses no
threat to life or structures.
8 . RANCHETTE ROAD (west of New Smyrna Beach) south of SR 44 in the vicinity of
Ranchette Road. Fire is currently contained. This has joined the Lafayette Landing fire.
9. NINE MILE POINT AND CR 3 NEAR PIERSON/SEVILLE. Currently contained.
10. I-95 (north of U.S. 1/Ormond near Volusia /Flagler county line) Currently
contained.
11. I-95 AND MAYTOWN ROAD (WEST OF OAK HILL) late afternoon thunderstorms in this
general area may have started this and other, as yet undetected, fires. No change.
12. I-95 AND THE 275 MILE MARKER IN ORMOND BEACH. Currently contained
SUPPRESSION EFFORTS UNDERWAY: All fires actively
being fought. None of the major fires are fully contained at this time . Local agencies
currently involved in suppression activities include Volusia County Fire Services and
municipal departments. The policy is to protect life first. Protection of structures will
be prioritized based on field conditions. A series of backfires will be set
depending on local weather conditions. The overall situation is somewhat stabilized. The
Plantation Pines area was successfully defended. Focus of concern for today will be the
Hunters Ridge area due to fires from Flagler County, Daytona Park Estates, Daytona
Highridge Estates and the west flank of the Lafayette fire.
MUTUAL AID: Resources from other states are present.
State ESF 4 and 9 have 107 firefighters through the Fire Chiefs Association; DOT
District 7, 7 people with one D6 bulldozers, transport tractor, and service truck; DOT
District 4, 2 people with one D6 bulldozer. The National Guard is going to provide 80
trained firefighters. They will be available Monday. The State Fire Marshal Office has
sent 8 people, FLNG (Florida National Guard) has sent 21 people with two (2) 2 ½ ton
trucks and 8 Humvees. Additional personnel request of the state have been met while all
requested equipment has not arrived.
OTHER: State of Florida Department of Emergency
Management Planning Chief and Assistant are on the scene
State Forestry and National Guard liaisons are present in Fire Command
AREA(S) EVACUATED:
VOLUNTARY
LAFAYETTE LANDINGS
RANCHETTE ROAD
SUNDY TRAIL
STONE ROAD
TOMOKA FARMS (ADJACENT TO GUAVA FIRE)
CARTER ROAD NORTH TO SR 40
LAKE HARNEY-MAYTOWN ROAD AREA
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS EVACUATED:
Evacuation of several hundred dwellings may occur due to various fires.
NUMBER OF EVACUEES: unknown
NUMBER OF SHELTERS OPEN: 3
- DELAND YMCA
- COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS FOR EVACUEES WITH ANIMALS/PETS
- ORMOND MIDDLE
SHELTER POPULATION: 10
NUMBER OF SHELTERS ON STANDBY: 3
- PALM TERRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ORMOND BEACH (FOR ELDERLY PSN)
- DELAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
- SPRUCE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL, PORT ORANGE
MISCELLANEOUS
STATUS OF FIREWORKS BAN AND OTHER BURN CONTROLS:
Volusia County passed an ordinance on Thursday, June 25, 1998, banning the use of
fireworks in unincorporated and incorporated areas. All vendors including those who sell
fireworks in tent sales have voluntarily agreed not to sell any fireworks to individuals
in Volusia County. Firework shows have been voluntarily canceled in the cities of DeLand,
DeBary, Deltona, Port Orange, Edgewater, Ormond Beach. Holly Hill has issued an emergency
order banning fireworks. Pierson has also passed an ordinance to ban fireworks.
FINANCIAL: Daily costs are
estimated at $75,000 excluding state-wide mutual aid and additional expenditures from
municipalities. Expect operations to continue for 2 weeks.