Volusia County and many cities have imposed burn bans to lessen the fire dangers in the outdoors.

Rainless days, high temperatures, low humidity and dried-out trees and vegetation have combined to create the perfect conditions for wildfires to start and spread.

Volusia County now stands at 546 on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which ranges from zero to 800. The higher the numbers, the more arid the conditions and dangers of a destructive blaze.

“That’ll an average,” county Fire Chief Joe King told The Beacon, referring to the latest reading.

King noted the lowest reading, 313, is in the northeast section of the county, while the highest, above 600, is in the southern portion extending from Osteen eastward to DeBary. He noted the Osteen fire, which charred 905 acres beginning last weekend, is still an active scene. Although the Osteen fire is 95 percent contained, firefighters are watching for hot spots that may smolder and erupt.

Only sufficient rainfall will lessen the fire hazard, King said, but even then there is reason to be alert.

“If we get a little rain, we’ll probably get some lightning,” he added, and those strikes could kindle new blazes.

Despite the extra duty that firefighters have logged over the past several days, King said the county’s fire stations and personnel are still able to meet the demands for other emergencies, notably medical-rescue calls, including heart attacks and auto crashes.

The county has also established “firewalker teams,” King said. These teams are trained firefighters who are willing to work additional hours, if needed. County firefighters, like their urban counterparts, typically work a 24-hour shift and have 48 hours off before their next 24-hour work period.

The county now has 215 firefighters on its payroll, and King said there are 12 openings. Those vacant slots may soon be filled, King said, noting he has 35 applicants.

As of the early morning hours of June 7 several brush fires are lit in Pierson and multiple crews are working to contain them.