Vero Beach and Sebastian Brace for Possible Wildfires

VERO BEACH – With windy and lightning conditions ahead this weekend, it could bring more wildfires to Indian River County.

There’s a 60 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms for Sebastian, Fellsmere, and Vero Beach on Sunday. The National Weather Service calls for thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon, and another one late that evening.

Gov. Rick Scott has already declared a state of emergency for Florida because of the high potential for increased wildfires. The climate has been dry, and forecasters predict hotter and drier conditions than normal this year.

Lightning is the main cause of wildfires in the state, and lightning caused most fires that have flared up across Indian River County.

Wildfires west of Vero Beach are still active, and that’s concerning since Fellsmere had a wildfire last weekend. The fire was quickly detained, but the winds will be stronger this weekend.

Winds are expected to be 5 to 15 mph until Sunday when there will be gusts of up to 25 mph in the afternoon. This is also the time when thunderstorms are predicted, and that’s a combination that worries firefighters.