BREVARD COUNTY, Fla.,None — A brush fire in Brevard County has burned over 100 acres and was still burning Friday afternoon. The major wildfire has shut down the outside southbound lane of I-95 at mile marker 186 near Melbourne Friday. All other lanes were open, but traffic was backed up around 5:00pm.
The Brevard County Fire Department was on scene and handling the fire. The Florida Highway Patrol said drivers need to use caution in the area. Late Friday afternoon there were no visibility issues.
So far, the fire is not threatening any homes. It's burning between Lake Washington and I-95 in Melbourne (see map). Officers are watching the fire and, if it jumps, they will be ready to protect the area homes.
Paula May thought someone was burning leaves in her neighborhood until she looked outside and saw the giant plume of black smoke looming over her street.
"I just hope the people on that side are safe, are okay," May said.
The fire started burning around noon more than a quarter-of-a-mile away. Firefighters struggled for hours to get it under control, but the conditions have been less than favorable.
"The grass and the brush is very, very dry because of the freezes and, with this shifty wind, that's what been giving us some problems," said Department Chief Fred Jodts, Brevard County Fire Rescue.
Firefighters were hoping to stop the blaze before it ever got to I-95, but the winds kept changing directions pushing the fire into dried-out brush. Dozens of firefighters from all over Brevard county have converged on the homes along Harlock Road, standing guard to put out any burning embers before they spark new fires and threaten the homes.
So far, the fire hasn't damaged any property and no one has been hurt. Residents have been watching the billowing smoke creep closer with rising anxiety.
"Definitely don't want it to jump over, we have too many trees. It'll light right up," said Jonas Zambrana, Brevard County resident.
May had plans to leave home to visit a family member in the hospital, but now with the fire burning in the direction of her home she thought it would be best to stay put.
"We're staying home. We're not going to go up there," May said.
The battalion chief said the department doesn't know how the fire was started.
Many residents were questioning whether it could have been the work of the arsonist who has started so many fires in Palm Bay.
WFTV
