Honestly, if you’ve stepped outside in Volusia County lately and noticed that distinct, heavy scent of charred pine, you aren't alone. It’s that time of year again. Florida’s "winter" is famously dry, and right now, the landscape is basically a tinderbox waiting for a spark. Whether it’s a flickering ember from a backyard brush pile or a lightning strike hitting a patch of palmetto, current fires in Volusia County are a reality we have to deal with every January.
As of mid-January 2026, the situation is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some good news on the containment front, but the smoke? Yeah, that’s still sticking around.
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The Tiger Bay Situation: Doublegate and Pinewood
If you live anywhere near Daytona Beach or South Daytona, you’ve probably seen the haze hanging over the treeline. Most of that is coming from the Doublegate Fire and the Pinewood Fire, both of which have been eating up acreage near the Tiger Bay State Forest.
The Doublegate Fire is the big one. It’s currently sitting at about 1,866 acres. To give you a mental image, that’s like 1,400 football fields combined. The crews have been working their tails off, and containment is finally up to 85%. That’s a huge relief, but 85% isn't 100%. Firefighters are still worried about "spot-overs"—that's when the wind catches a burning ember and tosses it over the containment line into fresh fuel.
Then there’s the Pinewood Fire. This one was smaller, about 111 acres. The good news? It’s 100% contained. Even so, you’ll still see dozers out there doing "mop-up" work. They have to make sure the ground isn't still smoldering deep in the peat, because those underground fires can pop back up days later if they aren't totally drowned out.
Why is the Smoke So Bad in DeLand and Daytona?
It’s the wind. Plain and simple.
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We’ve had some highly unstable "dispersion" conditions lately. Basically, the atmosphere is acting like a lid, trapping the smoke low to the ground instead of letting it drift up and away. When the sun goes down and the air cools, that smoke settles right onto I-4 and U.S. 92.
If you're driving early in the morning, be careful. The Florida Highway Patrol has already put up warning signs on S.R. 40 and S.R. 11. Visibility can drop to near zero in seconds when you hit a smoke pocket mixed with morning fog. It’s "super fog," and it’s dangerous.
Is There a Burn Ban?
This is where things get a little confusing for folks. As of January 15, 2026, Volusia County isn't on a formal, county-wide mandatory burn ban like some of our neighbors in Polk or Highlands. However, that doesn't mean it’s a free-for-all.
Volusia County Fire Services uses something called the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) to decide when to pull the trigger on a ban.
- If the index hits 500, a ban usually kicks in automatically.
- Right now, we are hovering in that "moderate" risk zone.
- Even without a formal ban, the Florida Forest Service is often denying burn permits for large piles because the humidity is just too low.
Basically, just because you can burn your yard waste doesn't mean you should. A single gust of wind can turn a small pile of leaves into a 10-acre brush fire in about five minutes.
Recent Tragedies and Home Safety
We can't talk about current fires in Volusia County without acknowledging the human cost. Just this past weekend, a house fire in the county claimed the life of a man and his two dogs. It’s a sobering reminder that while we focus on the big wildfires in the woods, structure fires are just as much of a threat during these cold, dry snaps.
Fire officials are practically begging people to create defensible space.
- Clear your gutters. Dry pine needles in a gutter are basically a fuse leading straight to your attic.
- Keep a 30-foot "clean zone" around your house.
- If you use space heaters during these chilly Florida nights, keep them away from curtains.
What to Watch For Next
The next few days look a bit dicey. We’re looking at lower relative humidity and some gusty winds, which is exactly what fire crews hate to see. There are nearly 50 personnel and 17 dozers currently committed to the fires near Tiger Bay. They are focused on strengthening those lines before the next wind shift.
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If you’re a local, keep an eye on the Volusia/Flagler Public Information Network (PIN). They’re usually the first to post if a road needs to be shut down due to smoke.
Stay safe out there. If you see a new column of smoke that hasn't been reported, call it in. In this weather, every minute counts.
Your Action Plan for Today
- Check the Air Quality: If you have asthma or respiratory issues, stay indoors during the late evening and early morning when smoke is heaviest.
- Secure Your Perimeter: Take 10 minutes to walk around your house and move any stacks of firewood or dry brush away from your exterior walls.
- Plan Your Commute: Avoid I-4 through the Tiger Bay area between 4:00 AM and 8:00 AM if you can; the smoke-fog mix is most frequent then.
- Monitor the KBDI: Keep an eye on the drought index if you're planning any outdoor activities involving fire.