INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The massive Buffer West Fire fell to 860 acres and was fully contained Tuesday as firefighters worked to knock down the flames, Florida Forest Service officials said. This is the fifth day state and county fire rescue crews battled the blaze at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park.
There were no threats or hazards from the fire, Forest Service officials said. Fire crews will be at the scene monitoring the blaze for the next several days.
Motorists on County Road 512 should use caution as there might be potential smoke in the area.
The Buffer West Fire has been 100% contained at approximately 860 acres. There are no threats and no hazards. Fire crews are on scene and will be on scene for the next several days continuing mop up operations. Be advised of potential smoke in the area.#BUFFERWESTFIRE pic.twitter.com/uXVRRhaWNW
— FFS Okeechobee (@FFS_Okeechobee) July 26, 2022
The Buffer West Fire ignited Friday in the southwest part of the park located north of County Road 512 and west of Interstate 95. The state park stretches from southern Brevard County to northern Indian River County.
Police said the fire was one mile east of the 13400 block of 113th Street in unincorporated Fellsmere. The size of the blaze began at 60 acres, grew to 1,200 acres and then dropped to 860 acres over a five-day period, Forest Service officials said.
The containment of the fire changed continually, with the blaze being fully contained over the weekend, 75 percent contained Monday and fully contained Tuesday.
The blaze was possibly caused by lightning, Indian River County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief David Rattray previously said. Rattray said there were lightning strikes in the area of the fire on Friday.
