MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Firefighters are monitoring a marsh area in Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge after a lightning strike caused a fire Saturday afternoon.
A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Brevard County when lightning struck. Crews responded to Peacocks Pocket, just west of the Kennedy Space Center, near the A. Max Brewer Bridge. As of Monday, the fire remained contained within the boundary of the impoundment and it is estimated at around 2,500 acres.
All access roads to Peacocks Pocket reopened Monday. Those roads were West Gator Creek, Gator Creek, East Gator Creek, and Catfish Creek.
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Titusville firefighters said no homes were impacted by the fire and no injuries have been reported.
The fire comes as a burn ban is in effect in Brevard County. Drought conditions, increasing temperatures, dry vegetation, and high wind gusts leave much of Florida vulnerable to wildfires..
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Lighting strike at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
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