BIG PINE KEY BRUSH FIRE UPDATE: 7 PM

BIG PINE KEY BRUSH FIRE UPDATE: 7 PM

BIG PINE KEY, FL – About 46 firefighters from seven agencies (Monroe County Fire Rescue, Key Largo Fire Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Florida Forest Service and the Georgia Forestry Commission) worked all day on the Big Pine Key brush fire.

The fire remains at 50 percent containment, with about 100 acres burned. Fire fighters spent Tuesday putting out hot spots and conducting protective measures around 30 homes that were identified as being in the affected area that is a combination of rural, wooded areas and residences.

Crews also created more fire break barriers with specialized vehicles called bombardiers. Other crews did some mop-up duty. This involves making a fire safe and reducing residual smoke by raking burning embers and/or spraying water on them. A helicopter crew contracted by the federal government also made air drops with about 800 gallons of water per drop.

One Monroe County Fire Rescue crew saved a box turtle, which was relocated to a safe place.

Crews will work Tuesday night and monitor a weather front that is expected to pass through around 3 a.m.

There are still prime conditions for fire in the area due to excessive debris – and dead and dry vegetation – from Hurricane Irma, as well as hot temperatures, shifting winds and a lack of rain.

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