Latest news with #PalmBayFireRescue
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Storm topples tree onto home in Palm Bay
The Brief A strong storm in southeast Palm Bay on Saturday split a large oak tree, sending one part onto a home and another into the road. No injuries were reported, and while residents reported seeing a possible tornado, officials have not confirmed it. ORLANDO, Fla. - A strong storm system swept through southeast Palm Bay on Saturday afternoon, toppling a large oak tree onto a home and prompting unconfirmed reports of a small tornado, officials said. There was no tornado warning issued however the NWS says that multiple reports of hail to the size of quarters with this storm in Palm Bay. Also, a divergent surface wind signature indicates gusty microburst winds in that same area. What we know Palm Bay Fire Rescue responded to the scene after residents reported storm damage in the area. A large oak tree was split apart by high winds, with one portion landing on a home and another blocking a nearby road. Emergency crews confirmed that the tree did not break through the roof, and no one inside the home was injured or entrapped. What we don't know While some residents reported seeing a tornado, officials have not yet confirmed a touchdown and reported gusty microburst winds in that same area. First responders on scene reported no life-threatening hazards. The National Weather Service has not issued a tornado confirmation as of Saturday evening. Track live when storms move across your area using the FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar below. You can also watch as heavy rain moves across Central Florida on our Live Weather Cameras' page here. More radar maps from FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar Brevard County Flagler County Marion County Osceola County Orange County Polk County Seminole County Sumter County Volusia County U.S./National Radar STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source The information in this article comes from a report shared by Palm Bay Fire Rescue.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Palm Bay fire officials say multiple wildfires across the city have been contained
All of the brush fires that Palm Bay, state and other agencies fought on Wednesday — including 250-to-300 acres of suspicious wildland blazes in the Compound and another set off in a homeless camp by a burning police car — have been put out or are contained, fire officials said. The big worry, however, is that southern Brevard remains in dry conditions with little relief in sight, said John Ringleb, spokesperson for Palm Bay Fire Rescue told FLORIDA TODAY. 'We're in near drought conditions for the next couple of days, so we're asking everyone to be vigilant,' Ringleb said, just days after Brevard County issued a burn ban. Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews battled back at least four major fires across the city Wednesday, April 24, with one that forced evacuations in a neighborhood in southeast Palm Bay and others with flames burning through dried-out vegetation at the Compound. A Palm Bay police officer suffered minor injuries while trying to put out his burning patrol car while checking in on a homeless camp set up behind homes off of Onyx Drive. "The cause of the vehicle fire is currently under review," Lt. Virginia Kilmer, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department. No other injuries or property damage was reported. Another blaze scorched the palms and pine trees at another homeless camp off of Interstate Court, just east of Interstate 95. The brush fires all were reported early in the afternoon, Wednesday, April 23, and quickly spread across five acres. A large black column of smoke from the fire could be seen for several miles. Smoke from the Compound fires — there were at least three separate blazes — could be seen for several miles. Spectators drove through the mostly abandoned area, parking along the craggy roads and watched as the Brevard County sheriff's office used bucket drops to battle back the fires. Ringleb said at least 30 Palm Bay firefighters were tasked with battling the blaze. The agency also had assistance from Brevard County, the Division of Forestry, the sheriff's office and Malabar. 'We had to allocate our resources very carefully,' Ringleb said, pointing out that there were other rescue calls the department had to handle at the same time. Fire crews continued to check the different sites through the night, knocking back hot spots and dousing smoldering vegetation. Some of the fires can burrow beneath the ground to get at dried out organic material beneath the surface, sometimes burning for days, fire experts point out. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures soil moisture, is at 500 out of 800, which means there is drought and an increased risk of fire danger, fire officials say. Last week, several small brush fires burned through portions of wildland along John Rodes Parkway in Melbourne. Officials have not determined a cause for those fires. Conditions continue to remain extremely dry across much of Brevard County, with temperatures hovering in the mid-80s with little chance of rain heading into the weekend. J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@ Twitter: @JDGallop. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Palm Bay wildfires contained
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Palm Bay's 'Compound' brush fire contained by crews amid burn ban
The Brief Palm Bay Fire Rescue quickly contained a 5-acre brush fire in The Compound with help from the Florida Division of Forestry. The fire, which broke out just after 3 p.m., threatened no homes or structures and was swiftly controlled. Officials are reminding residents that a citywide burn ban remains in effect due to ongoing drought conditions. PALM BAY, Fla. - Palm Bay Fire Rescue quickly contained a 5-acre brush fire in The Compound with help from the Florida Division of Forestry. What we know Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews responded to a fast-moving brush fire just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday in an area known as The Compound. Multiple brush units, engines, and water tenders were dispatched to contain the flames. With assistance from the Florida Division of Forestry, crews were able to limit the fire's spread to roughly five acres. Officials confirmed that no homes or private properties were threatened during the incident. The City of Palm Bay is currently under a burn ban due to ongoing drought conditions, and fire officials are urging residents to remain cautious. What we don't know Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. It's unclear whether it was sparked by human activity or natural causes, such as dry lightning. Officials also have not provided information on whether any injuries occurred among first responders or if wildlife habitats were affected. There's also no word on how long the burn ban will remain in place or if additional restrictions could follow. The backstory The Compound, a remote and undeveloped area in southwest Palm Bay, has been a repeated site of brush fires over the years. The region is known for its dry scrub and vacant lots, making it especially vulnerable during droughts. With Central Florida currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions, fire danger has remained elevated for weeks. The city has already issued a burn ban to prevent precisely this kind of situation — fires sparked or spread by careless outdoor burning, fireworks, or discarded smoking materials. What they're saying Officials are urging residents to remain aware of the risks and comply with fire restrictions. "We want to remind everyone that a burn ban remains in effect for the entire city of Palm Bay," fire officials said in a statement. "Please stay vigilant and help us keep our community safe during these ongoing drought conditions." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Palm Bay Fire Rescue.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
House fire sparks investigation in Palm Bay
Fire and police officials are investigating an overnight house fire in Palm Bay. Firefighters responded to the home along Balue Lane SE just before midnight on Monday. Channel 9 was in the neighborhood Tuesday morning and saw officers still on scene. Patrol cars blocked traffic access to the street where fire broke out, but Drone 9 captured a view of the damaged home. Eyewitness News reached out to Palm Bay Fire Rescue for more details about the incident, including whether anyone was hurt. The agency said it was not yet ready to release information about the fire. Stay with and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this developing story. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
