Daytona Beach fire live updates: Evacuations, wildfire map, news updates
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Some people have been ordered to evacuate their homes in the Mosaic Subdivision in Daytona Beach due to an active wildfire, according to the Daytona Beach Fire Department. Several counties – Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia – are under "red flag warnings" until Monday night due to low humidity and strong winds, allowing any fires to spread rapidly, officials say.
The wildfire was reported on Monday morning, burning west of the Mosaic neighborhood. Here is the latest information on the Bennett Field Fire.
Live updates: Daytona Beach wildfire
Officials are preparing to give a press briefing on the wildfire. You can watch live in the player above.
Shelter set up
A place for those evacuated from the Mosaic neighborhood has been set up at the LPGA Recreation Center, according to Pat Kuehn, spokesperson for Volusia County. Specific details were not immediately released.
5:13 p.m. - Mosaic neighborhood entrance closed
The Daytona Beach Police Department said both Cyan Avenue and Fushia Street within the Mosaic neighborhood have been evacuated due to the active brush fire burning nearby. The entrance to the development has been closed "to allow emergency personnel to safely manage the scene," the police department said in a Facebook post.
"At this time, officers have blocked off the entrance to the Mosaic development to allow emergency personnel to safely manage the scene. Residents on Cyan Avenue and Fuchsia Street have been evacuated as a precaution. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to allow first responders to operate safely and efficiently."
Photos shared by the police department show heavy smoke blowing into and above the neighborhood.
5:08 p.m. - Smoke plume from Bennett Field Fire visible on radar
According to the FOX 35 Storm Team, the smoke plume from the Bennett Field Fire in Daytona Beach is visible on radar. The plume is pushing southeast through Port Orange all the way to New Smyrna Beach, extending 35 miles offshore.
4:40 p.m. - Bennett Field brush fire grows to 100 acres
Volusia County Emergency Management said the fire was estimated to be larger than 100 acres – and burning near the Mosaic Subdivision.
"As a precaution, first responders are going door to door in nearby neighborhoods to evacuate homes that could be potentially affected by the fire. Flagler County’s Fireflight has been deployed to assist ground crews with aerial water drops, while five bulldozers are operating in the area to support containment efforts. Crews are also conducting structure protection operations along Cyan Avenue," the county said in a statement.
People are asked to avoid the area.
Red Flag warnings issued across Central Florida
Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties are under red flag warnings due to low humidity, strong winds, and drought conditions. Red flag warnings are in place until 7 p.m. on Monday. Officials said fires that form would likely spread rapidly.
What is a red flag warning?
"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds and low relative humidity can contribute to extreme fire behavior," according to National Weather Service.
4:28 p.m. - Evacuations ordered
"At this time Cyan Avenue in the Mosaic Subdivision is being evacuated. Fire crews have started structural protection in the area and residents on Cyan Avenue are urged to evacuate," Daytona Beach Fire Department said in an update.
It was not immediately clear how many homes were on that street. However, the fire department said shifting winds and the fire's behavior prompted the evacuations.
The fire is burning near LPGA Blvd. and International Tennis Drive/International Golf Drive.
Bennett Field Fire burning near
The fire was reported Monday morning. It is burning west of the Mosaic subdivision in Daytona Beach, near LPGA Blvd. and International Tennis Drive/International Golf Drive.
Wildfire tips to keep in mind
The Source: Daytona Beach Fire Department, Florida Forest Service, Volusia County Emergency Management, FOX 35 Storm Team, and National Weather Service in Melbourne.