State Road 44 in Volusia County has reopened on Friday morning after being closed for several hours due to a huge brush fire.
- Fire started as 1 acre, but jumped State Road 44 and grew
- BRUSH FIRES: Get the latest on brush fires, weather conditions
Happening Now: SR 44 in Deland is opening up to drivers after being shut down for hours this morning pic.twitter.com/M8lkMb6UWE
— Bailey Myers (@BaileyMyers_) April 28, 2017
A fast-moving brush fire that originated as a one acre along State Road 44 in DeLand jumped the roadway and burned about 250 acres into New Smyrna Beach, fire officials said Thursday. On Friday morning, neighboring Lake County felt the impact of the brush fire.
Buses running slowly near Royal Trails. Heavy smoke from brush fire. Pickups delayed. Road open now, but watch local media for updates. pic.twitter.com/AYye0VmoEX
— Lake County Schools (@lakeschools) April 28, 2017
The fire was about 75 percent contained as of 9:30 p.m., Thursday.
The Damascus wildfire forced crews to close a portion of State Road 44 between Pioneer Trail and Damascus Road. Motorists are urged to avoid the area.
The winds shifted at about 3:30 p.m. and the Florida Forest Service said via Twitter that there is currently no containment. Local, state and federal crews all worked to contain the fire.
"We had the winds coming out of the west then all of a sudden we had that wind shift coming out of the east," said Julie Allen with Florida Forest Service. "Once it jumped 44, it just went."
The wind made it a difficult fight for crews on the ground.
"Every time they get ahead of the fire they plow lines... the fire jumps it so they are working really hard to get a containment on it," Allen said.
Air One dropping water on the Damascus fire off S.R. 44 east of DeLand 🚁💧💦🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/hHRmt8MPUP
— Volusia Co. Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) April 27, 2017
Volusia County Fire Rescue on Thursday issued an outdoor burn ban due to the ongoing dry conditions. The ban went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 28, and applies to the county's unincorporated areas, Oak Hill, Lake Helen and Pierson.
Allen said the fire did not initiate the burn ban in Volusia County. It had already been in the works.
Crews announced that State Road 44 would stay closed through Thursday night and it remained closed until early Friday morning.