Roads reopen after brush fire forces several closures

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A brush fire closed portions of State Road 50 and State Road 528 early Monday in Orange and Brevard counties, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

All roads that were closed by the fire reopened by 10 a.m.

A second fire is burning near State Road 417 and State Road 535. Troopers warned that State Road 417 might also have to be suddenly closed.

Troopers asked motorists to reduce their speed in areas with limited visibility because of smoke.

Troopers had to block the eastbound lanes of the Beachline at State Road 520 in Orange County. Westbound lanes were blocked at Interstate 95 in Brevard County.

State Road 407 was also closed from the Beachline to Interstate 95.

Smoke from the brush fire also forced troopers to close East Colonial Drive in Orange County’s Christmas neighborhood, but the road has since reopened.

See footage of the brush fire below:

Officials said the fire was burning in an area between East Colonial Drive and the Beachline.

A second fire is burning near State Road 417 and State Road 535. Troopers warned that State Road 417 might also have to be suddenly closed.

Lt. Channing Taylor is one of many people who sweep the roads to make sure they're safe, but before troopers can determine that, they said there’s a system that comes into play before they decide whether to shut down roads.

“It was zero visibility. Just imagine you are driving along and it’s like a wall of smoke,” said Taylor.

FHP relies on the Department of Forestry to keep a close eye on the wind patterns.

If anything changes, the department alert the troopers.

Next, troopers take to the roads, sweeping the problematic spots.

“All of those roads are back open, but the risk is still around,” said Channing. “We’re concerned about it. It’s been very dry. We are going to come up with a new song besides ‘April Showers,’ because we’re not getting them.”

Cox Media Group