55-acre wildfire in Hobe Sound nearly contained

 HOBE SOUND, Fla. -- Martin County Fire Rescue units are mopping up a brush fire near Poinciana Gardens in Hobe Sound with the Florida Forest Service.

They spent most of Thursday afternoon battling the 55-acre wildfire which had threatened multiple homes in the Poinciana Gardens subdivision. 90 percent of it is now contained, according to officials.

"The Florida Forest Service goes in and puts a fire break behind the houses and then Martin County Fire Rescue is able to get back there and protect the houses with water and put out any hot spots. So, together we are saving the homes and saving lives," said Florida Forest Service spokeswoman Melissa Yunas.

Two firefighters were taken to hospitals for heat-related problems.

Some residents came out of their homes to help fire rescue crews. They put on sprinklers and hosed down their roofs to protect against flying embers.

A helicopter made 106 water drops and dumped 320 gallons over the blaze.

The Forestry Service says large ditches and chain link fences were a problem for stopping the fire.

The entire Treasure Coast region is experiencing smoky conditions due to wildfires burning in many of the counties to the north, especially the Space Coast.

The winds are expected to shift, coming from the east, sometime Friday helping to improve air quality.

Residents with respiratory problems should stay inside, but if you must travel use your vehicles air conditioner set to re-circulate the air inside the automobile.

The wptv.com web team contributed to this report