Rookery

1 - Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Rookery Fire ignited on the night of Sunday, June 14, 2026, in the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, located approximately 7 miles west-northwest of DeLand in Volusia County, Florida.
Size and Containment: Based on official incident reports, the fire has grown to approximately 3,700 acres. As of the latest updates within the last 72 hours, containment remains at 0%.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire is primarily fueled by tall grass (roughly 2.5 feet) and the marshy vegetation typical of the wildlife refuge. It spread steadily amid dry conditions that had persisted in the area through the weekend prior to ignition. Fire behavior has been reported as moderate.
Containment Efforts: The incident is being managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) — Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, with coordination from the Florida Interagency Coordination Center. Initial resources have been deployed to the area, though the swampy and marshy terrain of the refuge can present access challenges for fire crews. Estimated costs for the response are currently around $10,000.

2 - Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Currently, we cannot find any information regarding mandatory evacuation orders for the Rookery Fire.
Evacuation Warnings: There are no evacuation warnings in place at this time.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No evacuation shelters have been opened, and there are no reports of displaced residents or estimated populations impacted by evacuations.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:
We cannot find any information regarding road or infrastructure closures related to the Rookery Fire at this time. The fire is burning within the boundaries of a national wildlife refuge, away from major thoroughfares.

For more information on potential evacuations and road closures, visit:

• Florida Forest Service Wildfire Dashboard
• Volusia County Emergency Management
• Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge Official Site

3 - Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Rookery Fire.
Structures Impacted: Because the fire is burning in a remote section of a wildlife refuge, there are no reports of structures or key infrastructure being threatened, damaged, or destroyed at this time.
School and Business Closures: We cannot find any information indicating that local schools or businesses have been closed due to the fire.
Notable Impacts: The fire is burning within the 21,574-acre Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, an ecologically sensitive corridor along the St. Johns River known for its migratory waterfowl, wading birds, and nesting habitats.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No power outages have been reported in connection with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions: Residents should consult Volusia County officials for any local burn bans or fire restrictions, as dry conditions have recently affected the area.
Air Quality: Smoke from the fire may impact local air quality in Volusia County and surrounding communities. Residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children, are advised to monitor local air quality indices, stay indoors, and use air purifiers if smoke becomes heavy.

4 - Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment at 0%, fire crews are actively working to assess the perimeter and establish containment lines. The timeline for full containment is currently undetermined, as crews must navigate the complex wetland terrain of the refuge which makes traditional containment efforts difficult.
Weather and Wind Warnings: While there are no active Red Flag Warnings for the immediate area, recent weather patterns included passing thunderstorms with wind gusts reaching up to 56 mph in nearby coastal areas. Firefighters will continue to monitor for erratic winds from any subsequent storm cells, which could impact fire behavior and containment efforts.

5 - Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Rookery Fire was sparked by a lightning strike during a passing storm on the night of Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Weather and Climate: The fire was fueled by dry conditions that persisted across Volusia County through the weekend leading up to the storm. Lightning strikes are a common natural ignition source in Florida's dry prairies and wildlife refuges, especially during the summer thunderstorm season. The combination of dry vegetative fuel and sudden lightning activity created the ideal conditions for the fire to ignite and spread.

6 - For more information, visit:

• Florida Forest Service Current Wildfires
• Volusia County Emergency Management
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Lake Woodruff