Out-of-control prescribed burn may have caused Volusia brush fire

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Crews have contained a brush fire near Pierson in Volusia County that forced the evacuation of some residents on Monday.

The fire was initially reported as being 100 acres in size, but had grown to 450 acres Monday night.

The fire is in a heavily-wooded area in the Lake George Wildlife Management area, according to Volusia County Fire Rescue.

All  evacuations have been lifted.

Sean Murphy and his family were not among those forced to evacuate, but they live close to the flames that he worries that the fire, still not contained, could pose a threat overnight.

"It's pretty nerve-wracking," said Murphy. "(The fire is) big, hasn't been that big in a long time."

Forestry crews cut plow lines in an effort to control the fire, but they said the fire has jumped the lines more than once.

"Because the vegetation on the other side of the road was so dry, all it takes is one ember and we're off to the races again, and that's what happened today," said Timber Weller of the Florida Forest Service

State Road 40 was reopened Tuesday morning, after foggy conditions due to smoke caused the roadway to shut down.

There are no known injuries, nor have any structures been burned in the fire.

Officials said there was a prescribed burn in the area Monday, that may have gotten out-of-control.

WFTV