Two more fires extinguished; Espanola up to 55% contained

Palm Coast Observer
News

Progress continues to be made in the county’s fight against wildfires, according to officials at this morning’s fire briefing.

For the second day straight, Fire Chief Don Petito reported no new flare-ups and no changes. We also continue to assist other jurisdictions, he said, including Volusia County. And crews remain on 36-hours-on/36-hours-off work schedules.

Flagler County Emergency Management Technician Bob Pickering echoed yesterday’s positive weather forecast, with a 60% chance of precipitation — an average of .33 inches daily — starting Thursday and possibly rolling into Monday.

Division of Forestry Chief Information Officer Todd Schroeder reported that the Espanola fire has grown 25 acres, but has stayed within its containment lines. It’s now 55% contained, he said, and crews are looking to start transitioning into the mop-up phase of operations.

“We’ve made it through two real tough days of heat and winds,” he said. “But we’re very confident at this point.”

Schroeder also reported that out of 380 active state fires, Flagler County has decreased its count to 10 — two down from yesterday’s number.

The DOF’s Red Team, of which Schroeder is a part, will depart Flagler Monday morning to be replaced with another set of eight DOF commanding staff officers on two-week assignment, called the Gold Team. Operations and general crew personnel will remain consistent.

Daily fire briefings can now be streamed online, at www.flaglercounty.org.