State Road 407 reopens as Brevard brush fire smolders

Brush fire burns near Golfview Avenue, Flora Vista Place

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Firefighters are working to fully contain a brush fire in the area of west Port St. John that quickly grew to cover 300 acres.

Officials with the Florida Forest Service and Brevard County Fire Rescue said crews responded to brush fires Wednesday at Golfview Avenue and Flora Vista Place.

The fire, which has been named the Horse Stable Fire, was first reported as covering 5 acres but grew to 200 acres by 4 p.m, according to the Florida Forest Service. By 8:20 p.m., it was 90 percent contained.

Nearby State Road 407 was shut down between Interstate 95 and State Road 528 due to smoke conditions. The road was reopened around 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Map of the Port St. John fire

A Florida Forest Service helicopter was picking up water from a nearby body of water and dumping it on the fire.

Sky 6 aerial views show Brevard County Fire Rescue firetrucks in the neighborhood east of Hidden Acres for Thoroughbreds, or HART.

The owner of the horse rescue said flames came within feet of the property. HART is home to 35 horses, some of which have been rescued from abusive situations.

Suzanna Norris said flames came within feet from her property, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds.

"In those moments of crisis, I mean the best thing to do is stay calm and keep your wits about you and take charge and do what needs to be done," Norris said.

Norris said her property is home to 35 horses and the wind shifted, pushing the fire away from the property just in time. 

“Then right as it got to the fence line, the winds just kind of shifted back this way.” Norris said. 
 

Brevard County Sheriff's Office officials said at one point, 48 structures were threatened when the fire came within 100 yards of them. Just before 5 p.m., officials said there was no longer a threat to any nearby structures and that all roads were in the process of being reopened.

Meanwhile, near I-95 and State Road 50, the Florida Forest Service was conducting a prescribed burn.

Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol warned drivers the burn could possibly cause visibility issues overnight. Troopers will be monitoring the area.

According to the Florida Fire Service Fire Danger Index, the fire threat level across the state Wednesday was moderate.

Stay with ClickOrlando.com and News 6 for updates.


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