- April 26, 2024
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The following is adapted from a news release from Flagler County:
The eastern progress of the Espanola fire was stopped Wednesday, June 15, before the railroad tracks east of U.S. 1. There are no acreage estimates at this time.
Firefighters faced another day of heat, humidity and changing wind direction to add to the task of keeping 23 wildfires in Flagler County within the lines.
Firefighters worked in severe weather conditions with a heat index of 100 degrees and winds out of almost every direction possible Wednesday. Winds were reported up to 20 miles an hour and changed from east to west and circled completely around the compass during the day.
“(Tuesday) we had a break in the action and we were able to send a task force to Volusia County to assist them in fighting fires,” Fire Chief Don Petito said. Volusia also provided mutual aide to Flagler County several days ago.
Flagler County’s Emergency Operations Center is taking on the appearance of an Army encampment, as firefighters and resources from the Division of Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Flagler County, the cities of Palm Coast, Bunnell and Flagler Beach gather to coordinate efforts to battle the wildfires.
In addition, the Army National Guard has stationed three Black Hawk Helicopters at the Flagler County Airport to assist Flagler County’s FireFlight Helicopter in dropping water on the fires.
Residents are being encouraged not to call 911 when they see or smell smoke. With the number of active fires most of Flagler County will be experiencing smoke. However active flames spotted by residents should called into 911 immediately.
The following is the 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, breaking news report from The Palm Coast Observer:
Flagler County’s largest wildfire, covering more than 4,000 acres west of Espanola at last measure, has jumped a line of defense and is racing east, according to Public Information Officer Todd Schroeder.
“The big fire, the Espanola, that sucker jumped a line,” he said at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 15.
Thanks to the sharing of resources statewide, a Lake City air tanker capable of dumping 3,000 gallons of water should be actively fighting the Espanola Fire.
Firefighters are hoping to head the fire off at a dirt road called Forest Road 72, about six miles west of Espanola and eight miles west of Palm Coast.
“No homes are threatened by the fire at the moment, and we’re very hopeful that we’ll be able to stop this bad boy before it hits the forest road. That forest road is a good defense,” Schroeder said.
Winds are gusting 18 to 20 mph.
