Brush Fire In Daytona North Area Of Flagler County Causing Evacuations

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Flagler County, FL - A brush fire in the Daytona North area of western Flagler County grew rapidly on Friday causing a partial evacuation of that community. Residents should take all necessary precautions to keep their families and properties safe.

"We are having difficulty getting this (fire) under control with these dry, windy conditions," said Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito. "It's jumping road after road."

According to the Florida Forest Service, the fire started at about 2 PM, Friday, March 24, in the area of Cypress and Lemon streets on a 2-acre parcel and quickly grew to about 40 acres total, dotting the area between Mahogany Blvd. to the north and Walnut Ave. to the south and moving west toward Avacado Blvd. It is now about 50% contained.

The fire has threatened several structures. Since the homes are spread out, some with vacant lots between them, residents are being notified individually about evacuating.

Adults and children with conditions such as asthma might want to consider evacuating, as smoke can extend far beyond the boudaries of a brush fire.

"We are urging residents to take immediate precautions, and prepare the things they might need to take with them if they are asked to leave their homes," County Administrator Craig Coffey said.

Residents should be ready to leave with important paperwork like insurance papers and identification, as well as precriptoin medications and appropriate clothing in the event a large-scale evacuation occurs.

Homes should have a 30-foot defensible area to protect structures: move any fuel accelerants away from structures.

Crews from Flagler County, Bunnell, Palm Coast and the Florida Forest Service - including one of its strike teams from St. Johns County - are battling the blaze. The Flagler County Fireflight helicopter has been dropping buckets of water on the fire in addition to providing reconnaissance for firefighters on the ground.

Photo courtesy of ibreakstock and Shutterstock.com.

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