July 8, 1998--11 a.m.
Cindy Hancock Finney
Community Information SpecialistVOLUSIA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS BEGINS GRADUAL SHIFT TO RECOVERY STATUS
The County's Emergency Management Center began scaling back operations Wednesday morning as firefighters continued to gain the upper hand on wildfires.
Although Fire Services expects to begin sending some of the 2,000 firefighters here home starting Friday, Emergency Management Director Jim Ryan cautioned that the fire situation remains serious.
"We must keep our guard up," Ryan said. "Keeping in mind how quickly the situation changed last week in Ormond Beach, we have to be extra cautious."
Two more homes on Halifax Street north of Ormond Beach have been reported destroyed, bringing to five the total number of homes destroyed in Volusia County, according to Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath. Damage estimates will be updated to reflect the new information.
The number of acreage burned or burning -- 137,000 acres, almost a fifth of the County's land acreage -- is not expected to change at this point. Firefighters continue to battle some stubborn hot spots: east of Plantation Pines, northwest of Quail Ridge, Law Camp Road south of Edgewater and east and south of Maytown Road in Osteen.
As part of the gradual return to normal, the Volusia County Volunteers and Donations Division is no longer accepting donations of volunteers or supplies for firefighters. Instead, all calls will be directed to the state Emergency Operations Center at 1-800-265-4982. Volusia County will continue to accept monetary contributions to the Volusia County Fire Relief Fund at any First Union Bank branch statewide.
Also, the Salvation Army cannot accept any more donated goods at either of its locations. Monetary donations still are being accepted for both the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross for fire relief efforts. Those wishing to donate to these agencies should contact the Red Cross at (904) 226-1400 or the Salvation Army at (904) 238-7456.
Until further notice, the hours for the Emergency Operations Center and for the Citizens Information Center will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
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