Lightning Touches Off Wildfire In Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Space Center Is Safe (So Far)

Smoke from a wildfire at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge obscures NASA’s iconic VAB facility. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN

A lightning strike from a severe thunderstorm started a conflagration in Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge this afternoon. It is north of Kennedy Space Center, and is currently no threat to property or human endeavor — in other words, the facilities at Kennedy Space Center.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Released this statement on social media at roughly 11PM Saturday: “A lightning caused fire is currently burning in the Peacocks Pocket impoundment. The fire is estimated to be 150-200 acres. Fish & Wildlife firefighters are onsite and will monitor the blaze throughout the night. Expect all access roads to Peacocks Pocket to be closed tomorrow until fire crews determine they are safe, including: West Gator Creek, Gator Creek East Gator Creek, and Catfish Creek roads.”

General location of the fire as of Saturday night. Graphic: 2021 KSC Facilities Map, NASA
General location of the fire as of Saturday night. Graphic: 2021 KSC Facilities Map, NASA
MINWR UPDATE 1030 AM Sunday 5/26/04
11 PM EDT, Saturday: KSC Closes Beach Road

Around 11 PM EDT, KSC Police were emptying MINWR and were stopping people at the end of Max Brewer Bridge. KSC Police asked me to leave, and that’s exactly what I immediately did: I skedaddled.

Close up of fire line near Beach Rd. Saturday night. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN
Close up of fire line near Beach Rd. Saturday night. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN
A waning moon rises over the MINWR Saturday night obscured by thick smoke. Photo: Clarles Boyer/FMN
A waning moon rises over the MINWR Saturday night obscured by thick smoke. Photo: Charles Boyer/FMN
7 PM EDT, Saturday: Fire Is Spreading
Late afternoon wildfire scene in Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Late afternoon wildfire scene in Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Photo: Charles Boyer / FMN

Note: This Story was originally written for TalkofTitusville.com by FMN’s Charles Boyer

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  • I'm a NASA kid originally from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo. My family worked for NASA and/or their contractors, and I watched it all as a kid. And what kid doesn't like rockets? Currently, I am an IT engineer, a recovered R&D scientist that spent time in laser metrology, fiber optic applications and also lightning protection. I'm also a photographer, a writer and a bad musician. My favorite things are space, boating, sports, music and traveling. You can find me on Twitter as @TheOldManPar.

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