Firefighters planned to keep an eye on the changing weather Saturday night, in the hopes that high winds or lightning wouldnt fuel the largest brush fire Brevard County has seen this season.
Fire investigators said they didnt know what started the fire in Melbourne late Saturday afternoon, but it burned 250 acres before crews managed to get it under control.
The fire forced the evacuation of Wickham Park, melted the siding on a nearby carpet store, and crept dangerously close to homes on Post Road.
Some homeowners said they were ready to evacuate if they had to, but others were determined to stay and fight, like Stephanie Sloan.
I'm not going anywhere! I'm going to protect the house, declared Sloan. We worked hard for it, we deserve it, after all the hurricanes and stuff. Im sorry; Im going to protect my house.
Firefighters said high winds made the flames move very quickly. But damage from a brush fire at Wickham Park two weeks ago actually helped firefighters by creating a natural firebreak that slowed down the blaze.
Still, Melbourne Battalion Chief Robert Apel said 2006 is beginning to look a lot like 1998.
Its going to be a long brush fire season if we dont get some rain soon, Apel said.
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