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I-95 reopens after hourslong closure

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 30, 2006

TITUSVILLE - Authorities reopened Interstate 95 in Brevard County late Monday after a closure of several hours, though firefighters continued to battle a 2,000-acre brush fire that prompted residents of a nearby mobile home park to evacuate.

A 15-mile stretch along State Road 50 remained closed, and fog and smoke were expected to cause major problems on the I-95 and the BeachLine Expressway early today, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kim Miller said.

Lightning likely sparked the fire Sunday afternoon, said Dennis Neterer, Brevard Fire Rescue assistant chief. No damage or injuries were reported. Several residents voluntarily evacuated over the weekend to escape the smoke.

A 5-mile portion of southbound I-95 was closed about 4:30 p.m., Miller said, after the fire got worse. It's the same fire from yesterday," she said. "It's just kicking up."

Motorists have been warned to be cautious in the smoky conditions. Parts of I-95 have been closed intermittently for weeks because thick smoke from several fires in east-central Florida mixed with morning fog, making it impossible to see the road and causing dozens of accidents.

Four people have died in car wrecks attributed to the smoke.

In southeastern Polk County, firefighters on Monday contained a 1,000-acre fire on a military bombing range. The fire was started by lightning Sunday night and threatened no homes, officials said.

More than 2,700 wildfires have burned nearly 104,800 acres in Florida since Jan. 1, according to the state Division of Forestry.

[Last modified May 30, 2006, 05:12:25]