- May 5, 2024
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Division of Forestry Public Information Officer Todd Schroeder, in this morning’s fire briefing, reported 19 active wildfires in Flagler County, as of last night. All but two of the fires — the Espanola (45% contained) and the White Eagle (80% contained) — are 100% contained.
According to Schroeder, the Espanola fire grew about 714 acres yesterday, including woodland torched by the DOF to control further expansion. On Wednesday, the Espanola fire grew about 600 acres.
Schroeder said that, of all the county brushfires, the DOF is actively monitoring and fighting seven.
Emergency Operations Chief Mike Bazanos cited public safety as the main goal, saying that if even one house burned down, that would a be considered a fire department failure.
“We’ve been on these fires now for two months, constant, all day long,” he said. “These guys are tired.” But combined with municipal and Red Team resources, he said, “We’ve got it covered.”
“Everything we’ve done in the last two months has been to make sure history does not repeat itself,” he said, comparing the fire outbreak to that of 1998.
Schroeder said the largest concern right now is the Espanola fire reaching power lines on the northeast edge. He said the lines go northbound and do not service Flagler or Volusia. He wasn’t sure what areas they do service.
Schroeder reported that, today, three Black Hawk helicopters and two air tankers will be working the Espanola fire.
“At this point in time, there are no homes or communities being threatened,” Schroeder said. “We’re still way out there in the woods. But we do need to address the concern of maintaining the integrity of those power lines.”
