PALM BAY, Fla. — The fires that had been burning in the area known as The Compound in Palm Bay on Wednesday have been 100% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service Thursday.
Fire crews will monitor the area to ensure any smoldering areas do not break out again.
They fought about six fires at The Compound on Wednesday, with the Brevard County Sheriff's office assisting with water drops from helicopters on those brush fires. The Compound blazes were just some of the brush fires in Palm Bay on Wednesday.
With dry conditions throughout Central Florida, there was a lot of fuel feeding the flames at The Compound.
MORE FIRES: per @PBFR 6 more brush fires have broken out in the Compound. This in addition to the two others from earlier this afternoon. BCSO helo helping spot from the air. @MyNews13 Pics = GP pic.twitter.com/6DeYxN5rVH
— Greg Pallone (@gpallone13) April 23, 2025
Earlier Wednesday, about 20 homes along the east side of Onyx Drive were evacuated because of a brush fire in Palm Bay.
Those residents have since been allowed to return to their homes, none of which were damaged.
The Palm Bay Police Department said they believe that brush fire was sparked after a police cruiser caught fire while officers were checking on a homeless camp on Port Malabar Road. The cruiser's exhaust may have sparked the tall, dry brush, catching the car on fire, officers said. That ignited other brush in the woods, and at one point, flames were burning up trees.
"I was getting ready to take a nap, and no one pounds on my door, so I thought I better answer it and I saw all this smoke," said Steve Thompson, one of those evacuated due to the fire.
Palm Bay Fire Rescue Assistant Chief John Ringleb said the dry conditions are helping the fires to move quickly.
Officials said one injury was reported. The officer involved in the incident sustained minor injuries while trying to extinguish the flames, Palm Bay police said.
Palm Bay Fire Rescue also responded to another fire behind the Gary Yeomans Ford Palm Bay dealership on Malabar Road.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames, and no evacuations were necessary.
Brevard County just issued a burn ban Tuesday, and the city of Cocoa Beach implemented one after that.
