Interstate 95 reopens after being closed twice by 2,500-acre brush fire near Rockledge

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Smoke from a 2,500-acre brush fire burning near Rockledge caused troopers to close a portion of Interstate 95 early Tuesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The fire was 80 percent contained later in the afternoon.

Troopers closed I-95 from West King Street (State Road 520) to South Fiske Boulevard because of the blaze, which was ignited Monday afternoon near Tucker Lane by lightning.

The road was closed shortly after 5:15 a.m. and fully reopened four hours later. The road was closed again shortly after 10:45 a.m., but it was reopened at about 12:30 p.m.

Firefighters said no structures are threatened, but shifting winds had spread the fire within 150 feet of the interstate.

Meteorologist Brian Shields said coastal areas have remained dry in recent weeks compared with inland areas.

Firefighters are allowing the fire to burn itself out. A large plume of dark smoke billowing up from the 5,000 acres of land could be seen for miles.

Watch footage of the brush fire below:

Sean Gallagher, of the Florida Forest Service, said the fire spread quickly because vegetation in the area had already been treated with an herbicide.

"This block was planned to be burned as a prescribed burn," he said. "Unfortunately, it started as a wildfire with a west wind."

Forestry officials said a helicopter was used to burn the other 2,500 acres of land.

"They drop, essentially, napalm," Gallagher said. "So it is like flaming jelly gasoline, and that lights fire."

Wind blew smoke toward surrounding roads, diminishing visibility in the area.

"I couldn't see," driver Bailey Nelson said. "I kept having to use my windshield wipers to get the smog off."

Cox Media Group