Overview
- The blaze began after a lightning strike in the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge area and spread quickly because dry vegetation was present.
- Recent reports put the fire's size at nearly 4,000 acres, an update from earlier accounts that listed roughly 600 acres.
- State and federal teams including the Florida Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working on suppression with Volusia County crews ready to support.
- Smoke and ash have been visible in nearby communities such as DeLand, and authorities urged residents not to call 911 solely to report smoke so emergency lines stay open for immediate threats.
- Crews are monitoring rainfall moving through the area because wetter conditions could slow growth, but officials have not provided a containment percentage beyond saying it is 0%.