FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — As brush fires blaze in two Treasure Coast counties on Wednesday, St. Lucie County has declared a local state of emergency.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office says, in conjunction with the St. Lucie County Fire District, it has issued a local state of emergency and a county-wide burn ban due to extremely dry conditions in the area. The burn ban will apply to all non-permitted outside burning. The sheriff’s office says agricultural burning will be permitted on a case-by-case basis as authorized by the Florida Forest Service.
See also: 25,000 acre wildfire continues to burn in Florida Everglades at Alligator Alley
The local state emergency comes as a 15 to 20 acre brush fire currently rages in St. Lucie County near Indian River Estates. According to a spokesperson with SLCFD, the call came in about the fire at 1:19 p.m. SLFD says the fire should be contained soon.
As of this writing, the fire is about 50% contained.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office says, in conjunction with the St. Lucie County Fire District, it has issued a local state of emergency and a county-wide burn ban due to extremely dry conditions in the area. The burn ban will apply to all non-permitted outside burning. The sheriff’s office says agricultural burning will be permitted on a case-by-case basis as authorized by the Florida Forest Service. (WPEC){ }
The Florida Forest Service, St. Lucie County Emergency Response Division, and Department of Environmental Protection are still on site, the St. Lucie County Fire District says.
A cause has not been determined yet, SLCFD says.
The sheriff’s office says under a local state of emergency, the following activities should be limited:
BonfiresCampfiresWarming firesOutdoor fireplacesFireworksCooking fires, unless they are exclusively within a contained gas or charcoal grill
Drivers in the area should use extreme caution and avoid leaving vehicles running or driving over dry, grassy areas.
Brush fire blazes in Martin County
Firefighters with Martin County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are currently battling a 30 to 35-acre blaze near 4018 SW Foz Brown Road in Indiantown. Most of which is contained, fire rescue says.
MCFR says crews and FFS tractor units are on the scene working to establish and enforce containment lines.
Firefighters with Martin County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are currently battling a 25 to 35-acre blaze near 4018 SW Foz Brown Road in Indiantown. (WPEC){ }
The fire department says that although no structures are currently threatened and no evacuations have been ordered, residents are asked to expect smoke in the area.
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Motorists on SW Fox Brown Road are also advised to use extreme caution due to visibility issues and the presence of heavy equipment.