A wildfire, sparked by lightning, is currently raging in the Peacocks Pocket impoundment area of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The blaze, which began earlier today, has already consumed an estimated 150-200 acres. Firefighters from the Fish & Wildlife Service are on site and will be monitoring the fire throughout the night.
In response to the fire, all access roads to Peacocks Pocket have been closed. These include West Gator Creek, Gator Creek East, Gator Creek, and Catfish Creek roads. The closures will remain in effect until fire crews determine the areas are safe.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1963, is located on Florida’s east coast, near Titusville. The refuge spans approximately 140,000 acres and includes a diverse range of habitats such as saltwater marshes, freshwater impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. It serves as a sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife, including over 1,500 species of plants and animals. The refuge is particularly noted for its bird populations, making it a popular destination for bird watchers.
The local community has expressed concern and support on social media, with numerous comments and shares of the Wildlife Refuge’s updates. Residents are advised to avoid the closed areas and to remain alert for further updates from the authorities.
As the situation develops, we will provide ongoing updates. For the latest information on the fire and other local news, visit The Space Coast Rocket.
We urge everyone to stay safe and follow the instructions of local authorities. The efforts of the Fish & Wildlife firefighters are crucial in managing and eventually extinguishing this wildfire.
Stay tuned to The Space Coast Rocket for more updates on this developing story.