Friday, April 22, 2011 - Bluefield Ranch Closure Extended Until April 26

St. Lucie County's Environmental Resources Department has extended the temporarily closure of Bluefield Ranch Preserve until Tuesday, April 26 as a result of a wildfire that started on April 18.  The area received several direct hits from lightning burning roughly 30 aces. 

The fire has been extinguished; however, crews from the Florida Division of Forestry and Environmental Resources continue to monitor “flare ups” and “hot spots.” Additionally, a massive fire in Martin County, just south of Bluefield, could potentially impact the 3,285-acre preserve with smoke and/or fire.

Part of St. Lucie County's Environmentally Significant Lands program, Bluefield Ranch Preserve is located at 30501 Bluefield Road in western St. Lucie County off State Road 70 and features 20 miles of trails and an observation deck. Bluefield is well known for its’ elaborate multiuser trail system for equestrian, biking and hiking uses.  St. Lucie County's preserves are open every day during daylight hours.

For more information about the County's environmental preserves contact the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department at 772-462-2526 or visit: www.stlucieco.gov/erd.