Massive Volusia Wildfire Mostly Contained, No Homes Threatened

An enormous wildfire in southern Volusia County that started up over the weekend is mostly contained with no homes currently threatened, according to information from county government officials. The update is a major relief to residents in the area. The fire started near Pell and Maytown roads in the community of Osteen, not far from Orange City and DeBary. It grew from 150 acres to around 905 according to initial reports, and the Florida Forest Service responded to the scene to plow lines around the flames to contain and prevent them from spreading further. No injuries were reported to either people or animals at the scene, according to the county’s most recent update. Helicopters were also used to drop water onto the wildfire, helping to extinguish it over the massive wooded area it grew to cover. The county government did not issue evacuation orders, and arrangements were put into place for residents to shelter large animals at the fairgrounds if the situation necessitated doing so. Coincidentally, in a separate wildfire raging in south Florida near Pompano Beach this weekend, officials discovered a charred body in an area where the flames had been doused. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue crews were reportedly unable to determine even if the body was male or female, and an investigation was started by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.