Near New Smyrna Beach, a 200-acre brush fire starts as outdoor burn ban announced.

According to a spokesman for Volusia County, firefighters are attempting to manage a brush fire that is 200 acres in size and is only five percent contained. However, the fire that broke out on Tuesday afternoon is not currently posing a threat to residential areas.

At 2:44 p.m., this fire was reported to have occurred close to Ranchette Road. The fire is being fought by firefighters from Volusia County Fire Rescue as well as firemen from other departments. According to Pat Kuehn, a county spokesperson, the Florida Forest Service has made use of bulldozers to cut lines around the fire that is now occurring.

“No homes are threatened at this time,” according to her statement.

Officials who are working to put out the fire have stated that it is situated between Kola and Magnolia roads, and that spot overs are taking place at Sharp Road close to Ranchette Road.

Off of State Road 44, Matt Rinaldi’s residence is located on Omega Ranch Road. It was reported by him that the fire is located on the road behind the home of a neighbor.

The statement that Rinaldi made was, “I am extremely concerned for my property.” To ensure that it does not become a problem, I will be coming home to install sprinklers on my roof, switch them on, and make sure that these sprinklers are working properly. The situation is going to become quite problematic if the wind direction changes to the north.

Three helicopters were reportedly pouring water on the fire around 3:44 p.m., according to a command unit of firemen who were present at the scene.

On Tuesday, shortly after the brush fire was reported in the vicinity of New Smyrna Beach, officials from Volusia County made the announcement that an outdoor burn prohibition will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday in the areas of Oak Hill, Lake Helen, and Pierson.

The burning of yard debris, paper goods from the household, bonfires, campfires, warming fires, and cooking fires are all types of fires that are prohibited, according to Kuehn.

In order to carry out burning activities outside, one must first obtain permission from the Florida Forest Service department.

In accordance with the ban, Kuehn believes that it is OK to engage in outdoor cooking using an enclosed gas or charcoal grill, with the exception of a fire pit.

Chief Joe King of the Volusia County Fire Department stated that the fire prohibition is due to the terrible drought conditions that have been occurring. On a scale that ranges from 0 to 800, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Volusia County is now at 517 as of Tuesday. At 457, Flagler County is located.

According to a press release, the drought index is a measurement of the dryness of the soil, with zero signifying complete saturation and 800 indicating that the soil is completely dry.