INCIDENT SUMMARY

Start Date/Time

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge firefighters responded to the Sonnys Fire at around 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 19,2017.

Sonnys Fire on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge started as a car fire and grew to 500 acres.
Photo Credit: Michael Good, USFWS

Cause

The fire started when a visitor to the refuge trespassed off-road and the visitor’s vehicle caught fire. The vehicle burned, but there were no injuries to the occupants.

Acres Burned

The surrounding grass caught fire around the vehicle and grew to 500 acres.

Fire crews have reached a successful 70% containment status, however the fire is continually creeping and torching as of 3/21/2017 (date of the last update).

Fire fuels are Southern Rough.

Smoke shown on SR 3 while USFWS firefighters work on the Sonnys Fire at Merritt Island National Willdife Refuge
Photo Credit: Michael Good, USFWS

Location

The fire started near State Road 3, north of Haulover Canal and that portion of the road was evacuated and closed.  It is also located 5 miles east of Oak Hill on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

RESOURCES

Fire

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge firefighters and along with Brevard County Fire Rescue are assisting.

11 personnel are assigned to this incident.

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