Freezes, ferneries and fires

West Volusia watches weather

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jan 22, 2009 - 12:09:38pm

Fern growers in West Volusia are putting up a battle to protect their crops as temperatures dipped into the 20s and lower last night, and another freeze is expected tonight — for the third night in a row.

It's the busiest harvesting and sales time of the year for ferneries, with Valentine's Day coming up and florists demanding ferns for floral sprays and arrangements.

It's been about 20 years since temperatures have dipped below freezing for three consecutive nights.

Lows tonight are expected to hover around or just below freezing in DeLand, but will likely drop lower in outlying areas of Pierson, Seville and Barberville, where a number or ferneries are located.

Fern growers have been spraying fern coverings to insulate the plants from the cold. Some growers reported this morning they've found no freeze damage — yet.

Stacy Jones of Ronald Jones Ferneries in Pierson reported, "We've been running water 16 to 17 hours a night."

Fernery operators will be at it again, tonight.

Though officially, lows in West Volusia reached down into the 20s, temperatures in the Pierson area briefly dipped down to around 16 degrees last night, Jones said. "We run the same temperature as Ocala."

The insulating measures protected much of the crops. Some of the tender young ferns are showing some signs of damage, even under protective coverings, as are some leatherleaf ferns. Tree ferns, grown in hammocks and not under cover, likely suffered some damage, Jones said.

It will take a few days for damage to become fully apparent and assessed.

The National Weather Service in Melbourne said widespread frost is expected tonight.

Dry conditions; burn ban in effect

With dry conditions continuing this week, weather forecasters also issued a red-flag warning of increasing fire danger.

A red-flag warning means that critical fire-weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. The warning extends at least through Friday.

A burn ban is in effect in Volusia County, DeBary and Deltona until conditions improve. Campfires and trash fires are forbidden, and violators may be subject to a fine or jail time.

Along with taking precautions to prevent brush and forest fires, the National Weather Service said, "Use extreme caution with space heaters," which can pose fire threats if used too close to curtains or other flammable items.

The Volusia County Health Department urged care with heaters, also.

Heaters that operate on kerosene or gas, as well as fireplaces or stoves that use wood or charcoal, can pose additional health threats from carbon monoxide (CO).

"Carbon monoxide can be fatal if people are exposed to high levels, even for short periods of time,” said Dr. Lisa Conti, director of the DOH Division of Environmental Health. “Floridians who use indoor gas heaters and fireplaces should ensure the heaters exhaust to the outdoors, regularly check and maintain fuel burning appliances, have a working CO alarm in their homes and be aware of the signs of CO poisoning."

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Fatigue

• Chest pain

• Impaired vision and coordination

• Headaches

• Dizziness, confusion or nausea

Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless and tasteless.

Gas or kerosene heaters should be vented properly. Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned regularly. Do not burn charcoal or run portable generators indoors.

Immediately call 911 if carbon-monoxide poisoning is suspected.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health.

What about those frozen pipes?

Much of Florida plumbing isn't designed for hard freezes. Pipes running into homes from backyard wells and water softeners are often at risk for freezing.

J. Patrick Smith, a local plumber, said he's received some calls about frozen water pipes today.

He said, "My advice is, let it thaw out on its own."

For some people, the temptation is to use an acetylene torch or other source of heat to thaw out a piece of pipe, but that can be dangerous.

Smith said to let pipes thaw naturally, and take protective measures so they won't freeze next time.

Insulate exposed pipes, he recommended. If that's not possible, leave a little water running to keep pipes from freezing.

Otherwise, Smith warned, pipes could split.

— pat@beacononlinenewscom

Comment on this article

Commenting is closed for this article.

If you would like to contribute a letter to the editor, please click here.

Did you find this story interesting or informative? Subscribe to The DeLand-Deltona Beacon to read more stories by Pat Hatfield, along with others from our award-winning writers. Subscribe now!