Fire crews in Palm Bay responded to a five-acre brush fire near Madden Avenue and Olivia Street on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of six homes as officials warned residents to stay alert. This marks the third consecutive day of fires at The Compound, an undeveloped area where 11 separate blazes have erupted since Tuesday. Assistant Fire Chief John Ringleb said investigators are treating the fires as suspicious, with police focusing on potential suspects who may have been riding ATVs or dirt bikes in the area.
The fires began on April 28 when ten brush fires ignited across The Compound, burning 165 acres over five hours. No homes were damaged, but officials noted the blazes appeared to start separately, prompting suspicion of human involvement. The next day, a 40-acre fire broke out near Atwell Street and Kentucky Drive, coming within feet of power lines. By 5 p.m., crews had the fire mostly contained but continued monitoring hot spots.
On Thursday, the fifth fire in three days forced evacuations despite no structures being directly threatened. Ringleb said crews have managed to control each fire but remain on high alert. The area, which has no formal development, has become a focal point for investigators. Police have not yet identified suspects but are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing residents about sightings of vehicles in the area.
Residents near The Compound have been advised to keep emergency kits ready and stay informed through local alerts. The repeated fires have raised questions about land management and security in the region, though officials have not yet released plans for long-term measures. With no injuries reported so far, the focus remains on determining the cause and preventing further incidents.