Residents report falling ash during Merritt Island controlled burn

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — A large plume of smoke formed Monday afternoon in Brevard County during a 433-acre controlled burn on Merritt Island that caught the eyes of residents for miles.

Residents said the smoke cloud was so big that it was hard to tell that the fire was miles away. One resident saw falling ash in Mims.

“It was like a light little snow flurry, and then it was gone,” Titusville resident Mark Gibson said. %

%

“(I) just saw from my back yard it looked really weird outside, then I went on Facebook and someone said, 'Thanks for the ash in my burger,'” resident Taheerah Jones said.

Forestry and local fire officials said none of the reports of falling ash made it to dispatchers.

Cox Media Group