Outdoor fire ban remains in effect for Oak Hill, Pierson, Lake Helen and unincorporated Volusia County

SAMSULA -- A 55-acre fire that raged in the woods of Pioneer Trail left the unmistakable stench of smoke for days.

That mid-week fire is out, but with dry conditions and a lack of rain, county officials are continuing an outdoor burn ban for the small communities of Oak Hill, Pierson, Lake Helen and all areas in unincorporated Volusia County.

The ban was instituted April 6 by Volusia County Fire Services Director Mark Piland, whose edict is succinct: "Due to extremely dry conditions and the threat of wildfires, outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Volusia County and the cities of Pierson, Oak Hill and Lake Helen until further notice."

The closest Central Florida will come to rain is a 30 percent chance Wednesday night at the earliest and rising to 40 percent Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.