Volusia County wildfires

Volusia County wildfires 2000

Please note: The wildfires website is updated when fires occur that threaten homes or are burning large acres of property. In other words, no news is good news (and we are very thankful it's been relatively quiet)!

Burn ban lifted
Links of interest
Memorial Day fires
News releases
Updated June 2, 2000
Protect yourself during wildfire season
What you can do to protect your home and family.

News releases
Volusia County Fire Services deluged with calls
(June 2, 2000)
Fire crews continue mop-up operations
(12:15 p.m., May 30, 2000)
Crews fight new fire, mop up others; lightning will keep firefighters on guard Tuesday
(8 p.m., May 29, 2000)
Fire crews brace for possible flare ups; evacuation lifted
(10:30 a.m., May 29, 2000)
Fires cause evacuation of two housing areas in Osteen (southwest Volusia)
(May 28, 2000)
Volusia firefighters establish area Command Center to better monitor firefighting resources
(May 26, 2000)
Firefighters to visit residents in Southeast Volusia "hot spot"
(May 10, 2000)
Ranchette Road advisory
(May 9, 2000)
Wildfire consumes 125 acres in Southwest Volusia
(May 9, 2000)
Fire danger high in Southeast Volusia; residents urged to prepare for possible evacuations
(May 5, 2000)

Burn ban lifted, but continued caution urged
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford lifted the statewide burn ban effective Wednesday, June 28 but there are still regulations that residents must adhere to when burning outdoors. The burn ban was put into effect following a Severe Drought Emergency Declaration on May 17, 2000. It was lifted in 31 counties in the Florida Panhandle and South Florida on June 21 because of improved weather conditions. A pattern of regular afternoon summer rain showers throughout the state has prompted Crawford to revoke the ban completely.

"Although we are far from recovering from this long-term drought, the rainfall we are receiving is sufficient to merit lifting the outdoor burn ban stateside," Crawford said. "However, Florida is still suffering from a large deficit in rainfall and I urge people to not be complacent, but to be very careful when burning outdoors."

Despite the lifting of the burn ban, all open burning rules and regulations remain in effect. This means that yard trash can only be burned in a non-combustible container such as a barrel or in an excavated pit, both must be covered by a screen or metal mesh.

In addition, all persons conducting agricultural or silvicultural burning must first obtain an authorization from their local Division of Forestry office.

Authorizations are issued based upon the local weather conditions, the current wildfire activity and the availability of fire suppression personnel and equipment.

Links of interest
Florida Division of Forestry
Includes a wildfire season forecast and the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Florida to see how dry it is in Volusia County. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Fire and Safety Directory
International Association of Wildland Fire
The National Urban/Wildland Interface Fire Protection Program

back to home page

Comments or questions?
E-mail the