- April 25, 2024
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After growing about 1,300 acres in two days last week, expansion of the Espanola fire has stopped, according to Division of Forestry Information Officer Todd Schroeder. The weekend’s rains helped in containing the blaze (now up to 50% contained) to 5,107 acres, including acreage added by fire crews widening its boundary lines.
Although we’re in the middle of a "lull" with the fires, Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito cautioned, don’t get complacent. Dry weather is anticipated through Wednesday, which could ignite hot spots caused by the weekend’s lightning storms.
Emergency Management Technician Bob Pickering reported that there is a chance of rainfall on Thursday, which could last through the weekend. But nothing’s for sure.
“(We could get) a fair amount of rain,” he said, “but we just don’t know yet.” Until then, a dry/hot pattern is projected.
Over the weekend, DOF worked to straighten boundary lines on the Espanola fire, Schroeder reported, which should help contain jumps and expansion.
“The entire western flank has been contained,” according to Petito. Progress was also made over the weekend in realigning the southern and northeast (near non-Flagler/Volusia servicing power lines) portions of the fire.
A Flagler task force was also sent to assist wildfires in Volusia.
“We had a really good weekend,” Schroeder said. “We’re in better shape than we were last week … (But) I don’t think it’s at a point where we can leave it in the hands of the district.”
Schroeder said that, as of now, some DOF team members are set to leave Flagler County on Friday. But most will probably stay.
“This problem in this area is going to go beyond Friday,” he said. “… I feel confident that DOF’s not going to pick up and leave on Friday.”
There are currently 111 active fires in the district of Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties. There are 16 active in Flagler County.
Crews are still working shifts of 36 hours on, 36 hours off.
