400-acre prescribed burn west of I-95

St. Johns District conducts more than 5,000-acre prescribed burn in Fellsmere

FELLSMERE — Residents and motorists traveling along County Road 512 likely saw and smelled smoke columns from a prescribed burn - more than 5,000 acres - that happened Wednesday. But no need to fret - the smoke did not reach the roadways. The controlled burn - which lessens the risk of uncontrollable wildfires - scorched off wetlands, grasses and palmettos at the Fellsmere Water Management Area, officials said. The St. Johns River Water Management District Fire Team conducted the 5,183-acre burn. Ignition began about 11 a.m. and ended about 4 p.m., with the smoke expected to linger, officials said. "Staff will be on site to monitor until it is finished smoking," Media Outreach Manager Ashley Evitt said. "With the northeast ...

Two crashes involving semi-trailers, dump truck reported on I-95

Three people were hurt after two crashes involving semi-tractor trailers and a dump truck that occurred Wednesday along Interstate 95, officials said. The conditions of those injured were not immediately available. The first wreck - involving one semi-tractor trailer and a dump truck - happened about 7:30 a.m. on northbound I-95 near the 145-mile marker, Indian River County Sheriff's officials said. Two people were taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, Indian River County Fire Rescue Bureau Chief Bill Herrington said. The collision briefly blocked all northbound lanes. Deputies reopened two lanes on northbound I-95 by the afternoon. The far-right lane remained closed as deputies cleaned up road debris, sheriff's officials said. Florida Highway Patrol was investigating the ...

7-acre brush fire in West Vero Corridor fully contained

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Crews continue to monitor a 7.4-acre brush fire that was fully contained in the West Vero Corridor on Monday. There were no threats or hazards from the flames, Florida Forest Service officials said. The blaze - dubbed the West Vero Corridor Fire - ignited in the afternoon near the 8400 block of 20th Street, east of Interstate 95 and not far from nearby businesses, officials said. Forest Service officials said they have two bulldozers on scene. Indian River County Fire Rescue crews were also battling the blaze. The cause of the fire was unclear. It was unknown how long state and county firefighters were expected to remain in the area. Photos provided by Florida Forest Service ...