Weekend brush fires prompt Palm Bay fire officials to urge caution as dry weather continues
PALM BAY — Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews shut down a portion of a major road for several hours Sunday as a wind-driven, 20-acre brush fire — one of several over the weekend — grew dangerously close to several buildings and appeared at one point to be headed toward Interstate 95.
The fire, first reported about 12:30 p.m. Sunday near Babcock Street and Agora Circle, was brought under control by the afternoon, with fire crews remaining at the site to monitor for any potential hot spots.
"We still have a few units working. It is under control," Assistant Palm Bay Fire Chief John Ringleb said Sunday. "We don't know how it started. That's all under investigation."
No injuries were reported. It was one of two fires reported Sunday, as east winds of 15 mph kicked up across the Space Coast. The second fire was reported about 2:45 p.m. several miles to the north along Babcock Street, a short distance from the campus of Palm Bay High School.
"The fire was out about 4:10 p.m. We checked the area but there wasn't anyone there, nothing to suggest it was intentional. But it is real dry right now," said Lt. Brad Blout, spokesman for the Melbourne Police Department.
The first fire started not far from the Mount of Olives Evangelical Baptist Church, a storefront congregation where members had stepped outside and noticed flames and smoke.
"We just saw the flames and called on our (members) to come on out," said Gaston St. Louis, a deacon and choir director at the congregation. St. Louis said Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews arrived within minutes and began moving in trucks.
A ladder could be seen perched over a wooded lot as police officers blocked off Babcock, a major north-south road that cuts through Melbourne and Palm Bay.
A helicopter from the Florida Forest Service swooped down repeatedly to carry out water bucket drops over flames that appeared to jump from the east of Babcock Street to the west. At one point, the fire burned through the dry brush and appeared headed toward Interstate 95. Light smoke could be seen over the interstate but the highway remained open.
Fire crews continue to move into position as flames from the blaze could be seen from the 6100 block of Babcock Street, not far from the church. Palm Bay Police assisted.
More: Palm Bay Fire Rescue battles barn fire following reports of 'big explosion'
It was the second time in two days that the Palm Bay fire department battled a brush fire near structures.
On Saturday, a large brush fire burned through the heavily wooded area near the Space Force Base Annex, a large swath of land off of Minton Road, threatening homes and moving officials to have residents evacuated along Lynbrook Street. It was not immediately known how that fire started.
That brush fire was contained late Saturday, with fire crews returning Sunday to put out smoldering hot spots. Residents were urged to be watchful as dry weather conditions continued.
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Fire officials urge caution after weekend brush fires in Palm Bay
