Despite the recent rain, much of Central Florida remains under a burn ban.

  • Brush fire broke out Saturday
  • Firefighters say recent rain has improved dry conditions
  • Burn bans remain in effect

A brush fire burned nearly seven acres in Volusia County on Saturday.

The fire started on the corner of State Road 40 and Airport Road, near Ormond Beach.

Firefighters said recent rains were not enough to lift the burn bans in Volusia and Flagler counties.

“People are wondering why they can’t burn their trash, why they can’t have outside fires,” said Battalion Commander Dave King, with the Ormond Beach Fire Department. “Conditions, as you can tell, are still pretty bad out here.”

Firefighters say any moisture from the thunderstorms earlier in the week was sucked up by parched ground, or dried up by the hot, sunny conditions. And, conditions are not expected to improve any time soon.

"We have a high fire danger,” said King.  “And the reason we have the ban is try to prevent situations like this."

While thunderstorms did bring temporary relief, they also may have contributed to the brush fire.

King says that the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but sparks from a lightning strike may have been a factor.