Prescribed burn takes place on Merritt Island to protect wildlife, NASA infrastructure, officials say

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A prescribed burn began Saturday at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fire Management and Brevard County Emergency Management.

Such fires are regularly held at the refuge to mitigate flammable materials which could accumulate near NASA infrastructure, flight hardware and launch pads, as well as to protect wildlife from the threat of wildfire, USFWS Fire said on social media.

Video shared in the social media post shows the flames’ distance from nearby vehicles and structures.

According to Brevard County Emergency Management, Saturday’s prescribed burn should come out to 150 acres.

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