BREVARD COUNTY, fla. — A wildfire near the Orange-Brevard County border has grown from 500 acres to more than 2,000 acres and is expected to continue to increase in size overnight, officials said.
The fire is 20 percent contained, the Florida Forest Service said.
The fire started Friday near the Cocoa Water Plant near State Road 520.
At least 11 homes are threatened because of the fire, officials said.
The Florida Forest Service was monitoring the area to determine if they would need to close State Road 520 in the morning.
Diane Hessenauer told Eyewitness News that she and her neighbors in the Eden Reserve community in Christmas have started preparing to evacuate after having a conversation with the forest service.
“There's some that's going to stay and weather it out until they see the fire and the flames and then they'll get out,” Hessenauer said.
WFTV meteorologists said the winds have shifted a bit since the fire started.
Officials with the Florida Forest Service said they know how to handle the shifting winds, but said their efforts are complicated by the fact Central Florida is so dry.
Officials with the FFS are expected to give an update on the fire at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
#WaterPlantFire is now 1200+ acres. 20% cont. @OCFireRescue is on scene also. @OrangeCoSheriff standing by. 11 homes threatened.
— FFS Orlando (@FFS_Orlando) May 29, 2017
Woman living on James Creek Rd in Christmas not far from growing #WaterPlantFire says she & neighbors prepared to evacuate if needed @WFTV pic.twitter.com/6K5PKs66G2
— Cierra Putman WFTV (@CPutman_WFTV) May 29, 2017
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