Merritt Island refuge fire nearly 60 percent contained

The brush fire burning through the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is nearly 60 percent contained, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Sunday.

The Blackpoint Fire — as officials call it — started Friday and was initially reported at 20 acres before it grew to 4,700 acres Saturday, the agency reported. At least 36 fire fighters were at the site working to contain the blaze.

Officials expect to restrict the fire to 5,000 acres based on how the sections of the refuge are plotted, said spokeswoman Candice Stevenson.

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The blaze is the biggest in Brevard County in recent weeks amidst the heightened threat of brush fires brought on by drought-like conditions across the state. Thunderstorms in the forecast Sunday and Monday could help with rainfall or make things worse with lightning strikes.

No cause for the Merritt Island fire has been reported.

The fire is burning mostly in marsh habitat and no structures are threatened, officials said.

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive and State Road 406 are closed because of the fire.