Fire burning southwest in Flagler; U.S. 1 still closed

By Brian McMillan
| 4:00 a.m. May 31, 2011

The strategy is to plow around the fire and let it burn itself out, according to Palm Coast Fire Chief Mike Beadle. SHANNA FORTIER

Palm Coast Observer
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No homes in Seminole Woods or elsewhere are in danger as of 9:30 p.m. May 31, according to Palm Coast Fire Chief Mike Beadle, who has been keeping in touch with his officers at the fire, which is burning west of U.S. 1 in Flagler County.

“U.S. 1 is still shut down and probably will be for a good part of tomorrow because of smoke,” Beadle said.

The Florida Division of Forestry is taking the lead, as it always does in the case of wildfires, Beadle said. The strategy is to isolate pockets of the fire and let it burn itself out, Beadle said.

Three helicopters are involved, and that has been a key to fighting the fire. Two of the choppers are from the state, and one is Fireflight, from Flagler County.

Tomorrow, the crews will work at “mop up” to keep the fires contained. That stage is crucial because the wind could potentially whip the flames enough to spread the fire and change its course to the east and into populated areas. As of now though, Beadle emphasized, no homes are in danger.