July 5, 1998, 11 a.m.
Cindy Hancock Finney
Community Information SpecialistWildfire updates
Volusia County Emergency Management officials today were hoping to repeat Saturday's relatively quiet fire activity, but cautioned residents to remember the situation can change quickly.
"We're hoping Mother Nature will let us get a little bit ahead today," said Jim Ryan, Emergency Management Director. "But folks should understand the situation remains highly volatile."
The U.S. Forest Service said in Volusia County fires are reported to be 20 percent contained. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for all of Flagler County at least through Monday morning. Citizens seeking more information should call 1-888-282-3910.
In Volusia, mandatory evacuations continue for Hunters Ridge in the Ormond Beach area. The Airport Road north of Durrance Lane area, also in the Ormond Beach area, has been downgraded from a mandatory evacuation to a voluntary evacuation. No new structure damage has been reported.
A ground supervisor with the U.S. Forest Service directing bulldozer operations in the area near Maytown Road in Osteen was injured Saturday night when he was struck a glancing blow by a falling tree. The man, from Alabama, suffered a broken arm and head trauma. He is in serious but stable condition at Halifax Medical Center. His name was not available. For more information, call the U.S. Forest Service at 740-7688.
Sunday's' "hot spots" expected to be east of Plantation Pines, Hunters Ridge and Rodeo Road, all in Ormond Beach, and County Road 3 in Pierson. Crews are on the scene.
In other fire related news:
Spruce Creek Elementary and High School shelters will be consolidated into Atlantic High School by noon today.
The only road closures reported this morning are I-95 from Brevard to St. Augustine; U.S. 1 south of Kennedy Parkway and all roads entering Flagler County from Volusia.
FP&L reported electricity at Hunters Ridge has been 50 percent restored with the rest expected back on by noon today. Service along Rodeo Road has been spotty. FP&L crews are on the scene.
The Citizens Information Center reported the number of citizens calling the hotline numbers have dropped significantly.
Residents and visitors are urged to stay off the roads, if possible because of the number of emergency vehicles traveling to fire scenes. If they must travel, drivers are urged to use caution because of the heavy smoke in some areas.
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