MELBOURNE, Fla. — A brushfire near John Rodes Boulevard in Melbourne on Wednesday forced the evacuation of multiple businesses and the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Office, fire officials said.
The fire, nicknamed "Digital" by the Florida Forest Service, started in the woods behind Enterprise Court, off John Rodes Boulevard.
It was fully contained around 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Florida Fire Service reported. John Rodes Boulevard between Eau Gallie Boulevard and Dow Road was also reopened to traffic around 6 p.m.
The fire covered just over 30 acres and is an area with a lot of brush, according to estimates by the Florida Forest Service. Smoke and ashes are blanketing the area, clouding visibility.
BRUSH FIRE: in woods off John Rodes south of Eau Gallie in Melbourne. MFD, @BCFRpio FFS on scene. @votebrevard office evacuated. Wind gusting to the west. Video = GP @MyNews13 @MyNews13Weather pic.twitter.com/QLRoo6AbTD
— Greg Pallone (@gpallone13) April 16, 2025
Crews sprayed down much of the wooded area with water to try to get it as wet as possible and dug fire lines to help keep the fire from spreading, and most of the buildings in the area appear to be safe for now.
"I'm very appreciative of all the men and women of Brevard County Fire Rescue, Melbourne police, fire department. They're all over here right now," Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic said. "The fire is getting closer and closer to our property. They're hosing everything down as much as possible to try to keep it to where, you know, it doesn't get into our sheds, but our property line is just the fence. It's right there. And, last check, the fire was about 30 feet off the fence line. So, we're doing everything we can. All of our equipment is in this building here. So, again, I just can't thank these men and women enough because they're really working hard out here right now."
