Controlled burns, Gyro-Trac reduces risk of wildfires

Ormond Beach firefighters conducted a five-acre controlled burn in late January and plan several more over the next few months, as part of their ongoing program to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Capt. John Carey of Station 94 on west Airport road oversees the program and says the controlled burns will continue until May. Weather permitting, firefighters hope to do more controlled burns this year by keeping them smaller and more manageable.

A new tool, available to Ormond Beach and other cities through Volusia County, is the Gyro-Trac mower. The Gyro-Trac cuts a six-foot swath through the thick underbrush that fuels wildfires, Capt. Carey said, leaving the clippings as mulch that is much less of a fire risk.

The Gyro-Trac will be used in smaller areas near homes and other locations where controlled burns are not feasible.

The city's wildfire reduction efforts are coordinated with Volusia County fire Services, Florida Division of Forestry the City of Daytona Beach and other local municipalities. Notices of controlled burns are publicized ahead of time through the local media and on the city's website.