Dry conditions, warm temperatures and steady winds helped create to two large brush fires on the Treasure Coast Wednesday, becoming some of the largest fires so far this year.
In Indiantown, fire crews battled a brush fire at least 200 acres in size, near Allapattah Road, according to the Florida Forest Service. That fire was 80% contained by 9:30 Wednesday night. The Florida Forest Service says that fire likely started because of lightning.
In Western St. Lucie County, near Glades Cut-Off Road, fire crews had a 130-acre brush fire 100% contained by Wednesday evening.
Fire fighters closely monitored both fire sites through the night.
In Martin County, firefighters allowed the fire to burn itself out slowly, as accessing the fire was a challenge.
Battalion Chief Christian Montoya drove us around the plow line to see the conditions they deal with.
Getting through the thick vegetation was an obvious challenge. Plow trucks also struggled to get through the brush.
Meanwhile, winds stirred up embers and caused the fire to spread.
“Obviously with the rough terrain, it makes it hard to stay ahead of it and contain it. You get the spot overs, and the winds shift and change. You get a lot of smoke laying down so it just makes it hard to see,” Montoya said.
In St. Lucie County, flames spread quickly through palmetto and pine trees, quickly creating smoky conditions.
In both fires, no homes or properties were jeopardized.
“We had some livestock on the property. There were some tractors and stuff that we moved but there were no structures in danger,” Montoya said.
The Florida Forest Service says the fire risk remains high Thursday.
They also warn conditions could be smoky in the morning for people living near, or driving by those areas.