Growing Wildfire Prompts Evacuations, Closes Highways

Just west of us, from north to south in a long strip forest fires rage
Luckily we are far enough away and the winds are offshore and not back tracking.
Some major highways are closed while other are congested
For those with breathing problems smoke is in the air!



NBC REPORTS

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41834511

( text version below)

Growing Wildfire Prompts Evacuations, Closes Highways
Emergency Shelters Open In Mims, Titusville
in Orlando, FL ,OAK HILL, Fla. --

A growing brush fire in Volusia County prompted the closure of Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 in parts of Brevard and Volusia counties on Monday. The fire was burning near Oak Hill in Volusia County. Authorities said the fire had consumed 4,000 acres by early evening and was still growing.

Fire Jumps Interstate
Authorities with the Florida Highway Patrol said the 21-mile stretch of I-95 between state Road 442 and state Road 46 remained closed as of 10 p.m. They also closed U.S. Highway 1 from state Road 5A to state Road 442.
Authorities said drivers traveling south on I-95 will have to exit off onto SR 44 in New Smyrna Beach, while drivers traveling north on I-95 will have to exit off onto SR 46 in Mims.
U.S. Highway 1 was reopened just before 6 p.m., but it was closed again at about 9:30 p.m., when officials reported that the flames had jumped the highway.
The closures and detours may last through the morning commute, fire officials said.
Brevard Public Schools also announced that Pinewood Elementary School in Mims will be closed on Tuesday due to smoke and fire in the area. Also, bus transportation services for students north of S.R. 46 will not be available due to safety concerns and road closures.
All other schools in Brevard County will be open on Tuesday.
Officials said winds were pushing the blaze to the northeast late Monday.
The blaze also crossed into Brevard County on Monday afternoon and prompted authorities to order an evacuation for the Crystal Lake RV Park near Scottsmoor. The RV park is along SR 5A near I-95.
Late Monday, emergency officials called for a voluntary evacuation of residents living in the area bordered by C.R. 5A on the north, S.R. 46 on the south, U.S.1 on the east and the St. Johns River on the west.
Fire Tops 4,000 Acres
Voluntary Evacuations
Officials said those who live within those borders are encouraged to stay with friends or family outside the area threatened by the brush fire.
A shelter was opened at the Cuyler Community Center at 2329 Harry T. Moore Ave. in Mims. The Red Cross has opened a second shelter at Sandrift Recreation Center located at 595 N. Singleton Ave. in Titusville.
Firefighters from Brevard County, Division of Forestry, Edgewater and Volusia County are working to contain the blaze.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Fire officials said they will investigate once the flames have been extinguished.
Other Brush Fires Ignite
A brush fire near U.S. Highway 441 in Apopka caused problems for Orange County firefighters Monday afternoon.
Authorities said the blaze was burning in a wooded area that was not reachable by fire crews, but it was not threatening any homes.
Officials with the U.S. Forestry Service also worked to extinguish a brush fire in the Ocala National Forest Monday night.
Authorities with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the fire consumed 30 acres off state Road 19 north of Marion County, just inside the Putnam County line.
Firefighters from Marion and Putnam counties helped in the effort to bring the blaze under control. No homes were threatened.