SR 44 reopens in Volusia after brush fire smoke clears

Blaze scorches more than 215 acres, 85 percent contained

DeLAND, Fla. – Officials on Friday continue to work to contain a more than 200-acre brush fire in Volusia County that prompted a road closure.

Both lanes of State Road 44 from Prevatt Road to State Road 415 were shut down because of the fire. Some local traffic, mostly motorists heading to work, were allowed the use the road, however.

The fast-moving fire started Thursday on the north side of S.R. 44 then jumped to the south side, the Florida Forest Service said.

The first report of flames came in around 1:40 p.m. at 199 Damascus Road. The fire was 175 acres at 4 p.m. and 215 acres by 4:30 p.m. It was 75 percent contained early Friday.

Florida Forest Service said by Friday at 5:00 p.m. the fire was 85 percent contained.

No evacuations have been ordered and no structures are in danger.

Units from the Florida Forest Service, Volusia County Fire Rescue, New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and DeLand are battling the blaze.

Volusia and most Central Florida counties are under a burn ban due to dry conditions.

Orlando is nearly 8 inches below the normal amount of rainfall for the year.

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