CENTRAL FLORIDA -- Over 50 homes were damaged or destroyed, and two schools were evacuated as brush fires char thousands of acres in Brevard and Volusia counties, prompting Gov. Charlie Crist and county officials to declare a state of emergency.
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Emergency response chief David Halstead said the EOC was coordinating with local and county fire departments to get more equipment and personnel to the fire areas.
"We have partially activated -- not to Level 2 yet, but we have operations, plans -- certainly our fire personnel are activated, and they're working off site, moving resources," Halstead said. "We've moved more than 25 fire engines and about15 wildfire engines from around the state to that impacted area."
Halstead said if the fires get worse over the next couple days, the EOC would ask the federal government for a fire management assistance grant, which will help defer the costs of fighting the fires.
Crist was due in Brevard County Tuesday to see some of the damage first hand.
Palm Bay, Brevard County
Fire: The brush fires burned 3,500 acres in Palm Bay, and still had the potential to grow before it is contained. Authorities believe many of the fires were deliberately set. The fires were located near Tudor Road southwest, in the woods near Bayside High School, on Delray Street northeast and near Weslaco Street southeast.
Palm Bay officials said 50 to 75 homes were damaged or destroyed. Florida Power and Light said 5,500 customers were without power in the city.
Three firefighters were recovering after being hurt battling the brush fires in Palm Bay. At least one firefighter had to be airlifted to the hospital. One of those injured was electrocuted while trying to fight one of the fires. One of the injuries also happened near Bayside High school. The name of those injured, and the extent of the injuries, were not immediately released.
Palm Bay police took News 13 for a ride-along through one neighborhood that was hit hard. Because of the number of fires burning, crews have not been able to respond to many burning homes.
"They've all been deployed, and we have no further resources to help," said Deputy Chief Doug Muldoon. "Fortunately, we've had the public trying to assist and save their homes. There's only so much so you can do with fires fueled by winds and fast moving flames."
Evacuations: Students at Bayside High School and Westside Elementary School were moved to Southwest Middle School, where parents picked them up safely. Party of the playground at Westside Elementary caught fire.
Additionally, a voluntary evacuation is in place in Palm Bay.
School Closings: All schools in Palm Bay were closed Tuesday. View list.
All other schools in Brevard County are open. For more information, contact Brevard County Schools at (321) 633-1000, ext. 500.
Road Closures:View list
Shelter: At least 35 families were staying at a shelter set up at Our Lady of Grace Church, at 300 Malabar Road. Florida Today reported mental health officials were on hand to help residents as needed. Medical staff were available as well.
Structures Burned: Between 50 and 75 homes in Palm Bay were either damaged or destroyed. In addition, two vehicles, two motor homes, and one boat were destroyed by the flames.
"I said I'll take [the children] to the park and come back. Maybe things will be okay, but the fire got too heavy," said Marixa Cepero amid tears. "By the time I walked down here, my house was on fire."
Fire and building inspectors were expected to be out Tuesday morning to conduct damage assessment.
Power Outages: About 5,500 residents were without power in the southeast portion of Palm Bay.
Reporting Suspicious Activity: There were also reports that someone was seen near Bayside High School just before the fire, possibly setting the flames. The suspect was described as a light-skinned man driving a blue or black Honda or Hyundai.
If you know anything about any of these suspicious fires, contact CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS.
Hotline: (321) 637-5550
Malabar, Brevard County
Fire: About 2,500 acres has burned, and jumped U.S. Route 1. The fire is still not under control and is still threatening homes East of I-95 between ATZ road and Benjamin Road to the Indian River.
As of 2 p.m., brush fires were posing a threat to homes in the area of Rocky Point Road in Malabar. The fire has jumped U.S. 1 and continues to move east.
Other areas being threatened include Gradick Drive, Henderson Drive, Greenbrooke Street and areas between Valley Road and Valkeria Road.
Road Closures:View list
Structures burned: Four homes went up in flames in Malabar. One of the houses actually belonged to the family of a Palm Bay firefighter. Family member Pat Randolph said they were overwhelmed by the sudden loss.
"I watched the front yard burn, and the back yard burn, and when it got done, I went around back, and the house was still fine," Randolph said. "When I left around 9 last night, it was still fine, but then I got a phone call around 4 that the house was burning to the ground."
The family returned Tuesday looking for some valuable items, including an extensive coin collection.
The fire was so hot, many of the coins actually fused together.
Hotline: (321) 637-5550
LPGA Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Volusia County
Fire: The 800-acre brushfire in northwest Daytona Beach has been confined, and the Division of Forestry said about 55 percent has been contained. Firefighters said no homes have been damaged in Daytona Beach, and no injuries were reported.
Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted. Around 500 people were evacuated in the Bayberry Lakes and LPGA International subdivisions. The city of Daytona Beach has resumed normal operations, and has discontinued staffing the Emergency Operations Center.
Hundreds of people spent most of the day forced out of their homes in the LPGA subdivision. Some were allowed back in, but only to grab some of their belongings and leave. Firefighters have since said they had enough handle on the fire to relax the evacuation -- but people still need to stay on alert.
Road Closures: View list
Shelter: The American Red Cross has established a shelter at the Hampton Inn, 1715 West International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach.
Pets: Approximately 200 animals that were housed at the Halifax Humane Society (off LPGA Boulevard) were evacuated to the Volusia County Fairgrounds by the humane society and Volusia County Animal Control Services.
Wickham Park, Melbourne, Brevard County
Fire: Flames broke out west of Wickham Park, along Wickham Road and Parkway Drive, but the fire quickly grew to three acres, and started creeping into the park area, as well as near several businesses.
Crews were able to quickly set up a perimeter around the fire and get it contained. The fire was under control Tuesday morning. No one was hurt.
Cocoa, Brevard County
Fire: The fire scorched more than 250 acres in the area of Cox Road, Friday Road, State Road 524 and Satellite Boulevard. Crews said the fire was nearly contained Tuesday morning, and have switched to a mop-up mode, spending the day putting out hot spots. No injuries have been reported.
Evacuations: The evacuations have been lifted. More than 100 families in the area of S.R. 524 and the Cox, Friday and Rayburn roads were ordered to evacuate.
Road Closures:View list
Structure Damage: One business was destroyed in the fire.
Road Closures: S.R. 524 is closed between Cox Road and Friday Road.
Hotline: (321) 637-5550
Flagler County Burn Ban
Dry and windy weather caused Flagler County officials to enact an emergency, county-wide burn ban, meaning open burning and fire pits are banned.
Residents could also be fined for running a vehicle on top of dry grass, or throwing cigarette butts from a vehicle.
If you have any pictures of these fires, please e-mail them to special@cfnews13.com. Please include the photographer's name and where they were taken.
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