Fire officials are investigating whether a series of brush fires Sunday, including one that burned more than 50 acres in Okeeheelee Park South and required more than a dozen brush trucks and engines, are linked.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue workers kept busy throughout the morning and afternoon, fighting five brush fires in the western areas of the county.
Firefighters first responded to two brush fires in the area of Pinehurst Drive near Forest Hill Boulevard that they extinguished within an hour, said Deputy Chief Steve Delai.
Next, about 7:30 a.m., dozens of firefighters as well as Division of Forestry workers using 16 engines and brush trucks battled a 50- to 60-acre brush fire at Okeeheelee Park South off Forest Hill Boulevard, just east of Florida's Turnpike.
Two other smaller fires also broke out, one in the area of U.S. 441 and Lantana Road and the other at U.S. 441 and Hypoluxo Road. "We're not sure they are coincidental," Delai said. "They're all in a line, so we're investigating."
Palm Beach County now has the fifth-highest drought index in Florida, according to the Florida Division of Forestry.
None of the fires threatened any homes, but the fire at Okeeheelee Park, where equestrian trails are under construction, forced the evacuation of a nearby Palm Beach County sheriff's K-9 training facility.
Three police dogs were transferred to the sheriff's headquarters on Gun Club Road.
A Department of Transportation operations center also was evacuated.
Heavy smoke blew over Florida's Turnpike during the morning and afternoon, while ashes sprinkled over Forest Hill Boulevard and Okeeheelee Park.
Firefighters were allowing the fire to burn out on its own and were planning on monitoring it throughout the night, Delai said.
