INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – A Red Flag alert has been issued effective through 7 p.m. for Indian River County and will continue again through tomorrow.
The warning means that there is a “very high possibility” for wildfires in the area.
Firefighters and Forestry Division officials are battling numerous wildfires and controlled burns along the Treasure Coast, though none are in Indian River County.
In southern Brevard County a 16,000-acre prescribed fire on the St. Johns River will be conducted today by the Division of Forestry.
Residents and visitors in Indian River County looking to the northwest may be able to see smoke from this distant prescribed fire. This fire is not expected to impact residents of Indian River County.
“Weather conditions in our county are extremely conducive for the spread of wildfire,” officials said in a prepared statement.
Fires start easily from all causes and immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger, according to officials. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn in heavier fuels.
Officials recommend against residents burning yard waste until the threat of wildfires subsides. Fire restrictions, however, are currently not in effect.
