UPDATE: 11 a.m. - Officials say the brush for at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge has grown to 4,700 acres. The fire is back away from the road so no homes or structures are endangered. 

The fire is currently 42 percent contained and officials say there is no serious concern for wildlife at this time. 

ORIGINAL REPORT: A brush fire at the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge has burned over 500 acres and may grow over the next day because of the wind.

  • Fire in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, near Kennedy Space Center
  • Over 500 acres burned, fueled by dry grass and wind

The fire is near Blackpoint Wildlife Drive near Max Brewer Memorial Parkway. Blackpoint Wildlife Drive and State Road 406 are closed due to the fire.  

Fire crews say wind and dry grass are a huge factor in how the fire has spread, and they think it will grow into Saturday as well. 

Wildfire crews say there may be more road closures Saturday.

They also want employees at nearby NASA Kennedy Space Center to be cautious while driving into work.