-Silence
May 12th, 2008, 03:37 PM
CENTRAL FLORIDA -- Gov. Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency in Brevard County, as firefighters in Brevard and Volusia counties continue to battle approximately a dozen separate brush fires amid dry conditions and high winds.
In Palm Bay, two schools -- Bayside High and Westside Elementary -- have been evacuated. The students from the high school are being bussed to the Publix on Bayside Lake Boulevard.
In Malabar, U.S. Route 1 has been closed again, because of the smoke and flames leaping over the road.
Additionally, I-95 has been shut down from Malabar Road to Grant Road.
Two homes on Corey Road in Malabar were destroyed Monday morning. A third home in Palm Bay was also engulfed in flames.
The homeowners of one house were out of state, but their daughter was able to retrieve some family treasures before the fire got too far. Ironically, the daughter's husband is a firefighter with Palm Bay Fire Rescue and was fighting other fires at the time his wife's family home was burning down.
The second house, made of brick, was a short distance way. The owner tried for a while to wet down the roof, but finally had to escape with his family and only the clothes on their backs.
LPGA Boulevard
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg)
Fire: The 800 to 1,000-acre brushfire in northwest Daytona Beach has been confined and the Division of Forestry said about 20 percent has been contained.
Evacuations: The voluntary evacuation of Bayberry Lakes subdivision has been lifted. The mandatory evacuation of the LPGA subdivision is still in effect and will be evaluated after 9 a.m. Monday. Around 500 people were evacuated in both subdivisions.
At a 10 a.m. briefing, Timber Weller for the Division of Forestry and Fred Godawa, of the Daytona Beach Fire Department said that residents with special needs who live in the LPGA subdivision will be allowed in briefly to retrieve essential items. Anyone who needs to get in will have to have proof they live in subdivision and must enter at the LPGA Boulevard/Tomoka Farms Road Intersection.
Road Closures: The northbound and southbound lanes of LPGA Boulevard, from Williamson Blvd. to International Speedway Blvd., continue to be closed. I-95 is open, but that could change depending on weather conditions.
Shelter: The American Red Cross has established a shelter at the Hampton Inn, 1715 West International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach.
Hotline: (386) 671-5347.
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.
Malabar, Brevard County
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg)
Fire: Approximately 2,300 acres has burned. 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: I-95 is now back open in Malabar. At 1:25 p.m., U.S. 1 between Rocky Point Road and Valkaria Road was closed.
Two homes on Corey Road have been leveled by the fire. Orlando Dominguez, of Brevard County Fire Rescue said it is possible that there could be more evacuations later in the day.
Hotline: (321) 637-5550
Cocoa, Brevard County
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
Fire: A 250-acre brush fire continues to burn in the area of Cox Road, Friday Road, S.R. 524, and Satellite Boulevard. Currently, the fire is about 80 percent contained, according to Brevard County Fire Rescue. No injuries have been reported.
Evacuations: More than 100 families in the area of S.R. 524 and the Cox, Friday and Rayburn roads were ordered to evacuate because of the fire. There has been no report of widespread damage.
Road Closures: S.R. 524 is closed between Cox Road and Friday Road.
One business on Cox Road was reportedly destroyed by the brush fire.
Hotline: (321) 637-5550
Palm Bay, Brevard County
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/PALMBAY%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/PALMBAY%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/PALMBAY%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg)
Fire: Fire crews are looking for hot spots from a series of nine small brush fires. 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.
Evacuations: Bayside High School and Westside Elementary School have been evacuated at 2:30 p.m. Those students who have not been picked up by their parents are being bussed to the Publix on Bayside Lake Boulevard. Additionally, an evacuation order on Sunday has been lifted.
Shelter: The Red Cross said it was opening a shelter in Our Lady of Grace Church, at 300 Malabar Road.
Reporting Suspicious Activity: In the Weslaco Street fire a caller said he saw a dark-colored car in the area and that the driver threw something out of the car and then drove off. The fire started immediately after that.
If you know anything about any of these suspicious fires, call CrimeLine (http://www.cfcrimeline.com/) at (800) 423-TIPS or the Palm Bay Police Department.
Orange County Fire Flares Up
In Orange County, crews rushed back to the scene of a brush fire that broke out earlier in the week after it flared up again Sunday afternoon.
A passerby called after seeing smoke in the area of Hiawassee Road and the Turnpike.
The fire charred about 10 acres Thursday.
The flare-up was quickly knocked down and no homes are threatened at this time.
----
Brevard County
Interstate 95 has been closed again between mile markers 166 and 173.
The Holiday Inn at 1300 North Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach is offering evacuees a discounted rate of $59 a night. The hotel is pet friendly. Call 352-783-2271 for more information
Fire station 89 near Bayside High School has caught fire.
One firefighter has been injured and was transported to Southwest Middle School where a rehab center is being set up for firefighters.
Motorists are urged to use caution when driving in the area of Interstate 95 and S.R. 524.
San Filippo Drive near Cogan Drive has been closed. The fire in that area is well over 100 acres.
Two of the fires in Brevard County -- on Satellite Boulevard in West Cocoa and near I-95 and state Road 524 -- are contained.
Firefighters had to evacuate home and business owners as the brush fire came close to structures.
Bayside High School and Westside Elementary School have been evacuated because of the path of the fire.
All students from Bayside High School are safe and have been accounted for.
The fire is not under control.
Palm Bay public information officer Yvonne Martinez said they may call in the state's strike team for assistance.
No injuries have been reported, but at least one building in Cocoa was destroyed.
Smoke from the fires in Palm Bay is visible from up to 40 miles away.
Brush fires were blamed for some power outages in the Cocoa area.
Firefighters have been on scene since approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Heavy smoke may be present at times and emergency vehicles are entering and exiting the area.
The brush fires near Malabar in southern Brevard County have burned 2,100 acres.
The Division of Forestry said two homes in Brevard County have been lost, and more than 60 more are threatened by the fires.
Sheriff's deputies closed the area near U.S. Highway 1 and Malabar Road to both northbound and southbound traffic.
U.S. 192 in Melbourne is closed.
At least 10 brush fires in Palm Bay are considered to likely have been set by arsonists, according to officials.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Investigators are looking into a report of someone throwing something out of a dark-colored Hyundai sedan near one of the areas where a fire started.
One of the smaller, troublesome fires is burning in the area of St. Andre Boulevard.
Several flare ups are threatening homes.
Residents in areas of Palm Bay were allowed to return to their homes late Sunday night.
Brevard County Fire Rescue has activated a brush fire hotline at 321-937-5550.
---
The cocoa fire:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/-Silence/karenplunket.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/-Silence/cocoa2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/-Silence/4fa99389-8065-4eff-9d9c-7fb1737aa7d.jpg
(This is just a couple miles from my house.
In Palm Bay, two schools -- Bayside High and Westside Elementary -- have been evacuated. The students from the high school are being bussed to the Publix on Bayside Lake Boulevard.
In Malabar, U.S. Route 1 has been closed again, because of the smoke and flames leaping over the road.
Additionally, I-95 has been shut down from Malabar Road to Grant Road.
Two homes on Corey Road in Malabar were destroyed Monday morning. A third home in Palm Bay was also engulfed in flames.
The homeowners of one house were out of state, but their daughter was able to retrieve some family treasures before the fire got too far. Ironically, the daughter's husband is a firefighter with Palm Bay Fire Rescue and was fighting other fires at the time his wife's family home was burning down.
The second house, made of brick, was a short distance way. The owner tried for a while to wet down the roof, but finally had to escape with his family and only the clothes on their backs.
LPGA Boulevard
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/LPGA%20BRUSH%20FIRE%20MAP.jpg)
Fire: The 800 to 1,000-acre brushfire in northwest Daytona Beach has been confined and the Division of Forestry said about 20 percent has been contained.
Evacuations: The voluntary evacuation of Bayberry Lakes subdivision has been lifted. The mandatory evacuation of the LPGA subdivision is still in effect and will be evaluated after 9 a.m. Monday. Around 500 people were evacuated in both subdivisions.
At a 10 a.m. briefing, Timber Weller for the Division of Forestry and Fred Godawa, of the Daytona Beach Fire Department said that residents with special needs who live in the LPGA subdivision will be allowed in briefly to retrieve essential items. Anyone who needs to get in will have to have proof they live in subdivision and must enter at the LPGA Boulevard/Tomoka Farms Road Intersection.
Road Closures: The northbound and southbound lanes of LPGA Boulevard, from Williamson Blvd. to International Speedway Blvd., continue to be closed. I-95 is open, but that could change depending on weather conditions.
Shelter: The American Red Cross has established a shelter at the Hampton Inn, 1715 West International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach.
Hotline: (386) 671-5347.
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.
Malabar, Brevard County
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/MALABAR%20BRUSH%20FIRES.jpg)
Fire: Approximately 2,300 acres has burned. 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: I-95 is now back open in Malabar. At 1:25 p.m., U.S. 1 between Rocky Point Road and Valkaria Road was closed.
Two homes on Corey Road have been leveled by the fire. Orlando Dominguez, of Brevard County Fire Rescue said it is possible that there could be more evacuations later in the day.
Hotline: (321) 637-5550
Cocoa, Brevard County
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/COCOA%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
Fire: A 250-acre brush fire continues to burn in the area of Cox Road, Friday Road, S.R. 524, and Satellite Boulevard. Currently, the fire is about 80 percent contained, according to Brevard County Fire Rescue. No injuries have been reported.
Evacuations: More than 100 families in the area of S.R. 524 and the Cox, Friday and Rayburn roads were ordered to evacuate because of the fire. There has been no report of widespread damage.
Road Closures: S.R. 524 is closed between Cox Road and Friday Road.
One business on Cox Road was reportedly destroyed by the brush fire.
Hotline: (321) 637-5550
Palm Bay, Brevard County
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/PALMBAY%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/PALMBAY%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/PALMBAY%20BRUSH%20FIRES%20MAP.jpg)
http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg (http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg)
(http://www.cfnews13.com/uploadedImages/Stories/Local/SCHOOLS%20EVACUATED.jpg)
Fire: Fire crews are looking for hot spots from a series of nine small brush fires. 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.
Evacuations: Bayside High School and Westside Elementary School have been evacuated at 2:30 p.m. Those students who have not been picked up by their parents are being bussed to the Publix on Bayside Lake Boulevard. Additionally, an evacuation order on Sunday has been lifted.
Shelter: The Red Cross said it was opening a shelter in Our Lady of Grace Church, at 300 Malabar Road.
Reporting Suspicious Activity: In the Weslaco Street fire a caller said he saw a dark-colored car in the area and that the driver threw something out of the car and then drove off. The fire started immediately after that.
If you know anything about any of these suspicious fires, call CrimeLine (http://www.cfcrimeline.com/) at (800) 423-TIPS or the Palm Bay Police Department.
Orange County Fire Flares Up
In Orange County, crews rushed back to the scene of a brush fire that broke out earlier in the week after it flared up again Sunday afternoon.
A passerby called after seeing smoke in the area of Hiawassee Road and the Turnpike.
The fire charred about 10 acres Thursday.
The flare-up was quickly knocked down and no homes are threatened at this time.
----
Brevard County
Interstate 95 has been closed again between mile markers 166 and 173.
The Holiday Inn at 1300 North Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach is offering evacuees a discounted rate of $59 a night. The hotel is pet friendly. Call 352-783-2271 for more information
Fire station 89 near Bayside High School has caught fire.
One firefighter has been injured and was transported to Southwest Middle School where a rehab center is being set up for firefighters.
Motorists are urged to use caution when driving in the area of Interstate 95 and S.R. 524.
San Filippo Drive near Cogan Drive has been closed. The fire in that area is well over 100 acres.
Two of the fires in Brevard County -- on Satellite Boulevard in West Cocoa and near I-95 and state Road 524 -- are contained.
Firefighters had to evacuate home and business owners as the brush fire came close to structures.
Bayside High School and Westside Elementary School have been evacuated because of the path of the fire.
All students from Bayside High School are safe and have been accounted for.
The fire is not under control.
Palm Bay public information officer Yvonne Martinez said they may call in the state's strike team for assistance.
No injuries have been reported, but at least one building in Cocoa was destroyed.
Smoke from the fires in Palm Bay is visible from up to 40 miles away.
Brush fires were blamed for some power outages in the Cocoa area.
Firefighters have been on scene since approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Heavy smoke may be present at times and emergency vehicles are entering and exiting the area.
The brush fires near Malabar in southern Brevard County have burned 2,100 acres.
The Division of Forestry said two homes in Brevard County have been lost, and more than 60 more are threatened by the fires.
Sheriff's deputies closed the area near U.S. Highway 1 and Malabar Road to both northbound and southbound traffic.
U.S. 192 in Melbourne is closed.
At least 10 brush fires in Palm Bay are considered to likely have been set by arsonists, according to officials.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Investigators are looking into a report of someone throwing something out of a dark-colored Hyundai sedan near one of the areas where a fire started.
One of the smaller, troublesome fires is burning in the area of St. Andre Boulevard.
Several flare ups are threatening homes.
Residents in areas of Palm Bay were allowed to return to their homes late Sunday night.
Brevard County Fire Rescue has activated a brush fire hotline at 321-937-5550.
---
The cocoa fire:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/-Silence/karenplunket.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/-Silence/cocoa2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/-Silence/4fa99389-8065-4eff-9d9c-7fb1737aa7d.jpg
(This is just a couple miles from my house.