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Dec. 11, 2009
Vickie Pleus, APR, CPRC
Community Information Specialist

VOLUSIA COUNTY FIRE SERVICES TO LIFT BURN BAN DEC. 12

Volusia County Fire Services will lift the outdoor burn ban for the county’s unincorporated areas effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The burn ban also will be lifted for Oak Hill, Lake Helen and Pierson.

The rain over the past few days has eased the recent drought conditions, and Volusia County’s average drought index dropped to 400 on Dec. 11. (The drought index goes from zero to 800, with zero being total saturation and 800 being desert dry.)

“While we still have some small areas in the county that are dry, the drought conditions are subsiding overall,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kathy Weaver. “Most areas of the county have received sufficient amounts of rainfall over the past week, and there is no longer an increased likelihood of wildfires. However, if we begin to see a decline in the rainfall, there is a chance we will have to reinstitute the burn ban.”

Fire officials encourage residents to take the following steps to protect their property from brush fires:

• Design and landscape your home with brush fire 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.

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