Volusia County, Florida Fire Danger Extreme in 2011

The West Volusia Beacon posted an article by Pat Hatfield on Dec 2, 2010 detailing the extreme fire danger in the county for the spring and summer of 2011. The article noted that La Nina weather conditions are expected and detailed how the drier conditions predispose overgrown vines and brush to become tinder.

Volusia County experienced a high fire danger and devastating fires during a La Nina event in 1998 and neither residents nor fire officials want to watch helplessly as walls of flame march across the county again this coming year.

An article in the Aug 2007 issue of Scientific American asks the question "Where will the next blaze ignite?" There have been many models that predict with varying degrees of accuracy when and where wildfires may be more likely to occur but computer technology coupled with expertise from fire fighters in the field has raised the science of forecasting extreme fire danger to a predictable art.

Florida has a particularly high fire danger profile because of the prevailing climate which encourages fast growth due to abundant moisture and warm temperatures. When the La Nina events occur it causes a drier than normal season which dramatically lowers the moisture content of grasses, reeds, palmettos, and pine needles. Fire danger is determined by fuels, weather, and topography. The prediction for Volusia County can be altered in one important area. Fires cannot burn without fuel. To lessen the danger, residents are being encouraged to reduce the fuel load.

Pat Hatfield notes in his article that in 1998 the heart of Volusia County, 135,000 acres, was consumed by wildfire. Volusia County is not the only county that suffered fire that year...and the 2007 year was a serious year for fire in Florida as well. Again the fire danger spiked when very dry conditions dehydrated the grasses and leaves and left prime tinder like palmettos and pine needles exceedingly dry and fire ready.

Volusia County will experience extreme fire danger in 2011, and it will likely experience extreme fire danger periodically in the years to come as well, but residents can keep their community safe by following some fire-smart practices.

The Florida Division of Forestry, Volusia County Fire Services, Deltona Fire Department and Orange City Fire Department encourage residents to cut and mow brush and clear away vines. Rake dead grass, leaves, pine needles and any other flammable debris and haul it away.

The West Volusia Beacon article noted that the Division of Forestry and the DeBary Golf and Country Club are using federal stimulus money to mitigate the fire hazard by cutting and mowing the thick growth of vines and brush.

Your own home should not be a weak link. Make it the most fire-safe home in the community by clearing space around it, establishing fire resistant landscaping, and using fire resistant building materials. Join community efforts to cut back overgrown brush and vines in common areas.

Log on to http://www.firewise.org/index.php and explore the resources and interactive sites that give practical advice on how to make your residence and your community safe from wildfire.

References:

http://www.beacononlinenews.com/news/daily/3291

http://www.nifc.gov/preved/protecthome.htm

Scientific American, Aug 2007, Volume 297, Number 2