April 12, 1999, 9 p.m.
FIREFIGHTERS EXPECT TO MOP UP BLAZE IN LAKE HELEN; NO INJURIES OR DAMAGES REPORTED
Cindy Hancock Finney
Community Information SpecialistVolusia County firefighters expect to have contained by Tuesday morning a wildfire which burned 430 acres northeast of Lake Helen, but did not damage any homes or cause any injuries.
Volusia County Deputy Fire Chief Ken Gaines estimated the fire northeast of Prevatt and Lemon avenues (southeast of the Volusia County Fairgrounds) was about 50 percent contained. He was optimistic the fire would be under control sometime early Tuesday.
"We did an excellent job today," he said. "We met our objectives, which were to safely and aggressively fight the fire and protect structures."
"We saved $5 million in structural damage," said Mike Kuypers, District Manager of the Division of Forestry in Bunnell. "It could have been a lot worse."
Low humidity and high winds fanned the blaze, which began around noon. Kuypers said it may have been started by a trash pile. An investigation is continuing. The fire began about noon Monday.
Two Wildfire Task Force Teams were instrumental in the firefighting operations, Gaines said. The two teams were among five wildfire task force crews located throughout the County which can be assembled on short notice to provide fire protection to structures threatened by wildfires. The two teams working Monday drew manpower and equipment from the cities of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Edgewater. Other agencies participating included the Division of Forestry, Seminole County and the cities of Deltona, Orange City, Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach Shores.
As many as three helicopters, guided by a fixed wing aircraft, used "Bambi buckets" to scoop water from nearby ponds and douse the flames. The helicopters flew all afternoon until dusk. Nineteen engines, eight brush trucks, seven tractor plows, five water tenders and three bulldozers also were used. Volusia County Public Works supplied bulldozers and support crews.
Early Tuesday, firefighters plan to widen fire breaks using bulldozers and squelch any remaining fires using engines and hand crews.
Note: This is the final press release which will be issued tonight.
Previous news releases
Firefighters battle blaze in Lake Helen (4:30 p.m., April 12)
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