April 12, 1999
David F. Byron, APR
Community Information Director
4:30 p.m.FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE IN LAKE HELEN
Volusia County Fire Services has called in two wildfire Task Teams to bolster the resources on scene battling a growing wildfire in Lake Helen, between Lemon and Ohio avenues, east of Prevatt Avenue in Lake Helen.
By 4:30 p.m. the fire had grown to 300 acres. No evacuations had been ordered but the southbound fire was nearing residences on Ohio Avenue, south of Lemon Avenue. The area called Lake Helen Mobile Villas, which consists of between 60 and 80 mobile homes, no longer was considered a primary threat, according to Volusia County Fire Services. However, at 4:30 p.m. firefighters were concerned about "spotting" – blowing burning embers – occurring near homes on Ohio Avenue.
Units from Volusia County Fire Services, Seminole County, Deltona and Florida Division of Forestry were battling the blaze on the ground and from the air. The major objective was to keep the fire north of Ohio Avenue.
City/County composed Task Teams from the Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach area and Port Orange/Edgewater area had been called in to provide additional support. The wildfire Task Teams are pre-determined units from city and county agencies in Volusia County which can be deployed when needed. There are five task force teams. Each has two fire engines, a water tanker, two firewalkers (specially trained crew members) and two bulldozers..
Dense smoke covered the area causing difficulty for motorists, many of whom stopped by the road out of curiosity.
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Copyright © 1999 Volusia County, Florida.