Florida Wildfires

Relentless wildfires burned into the early morning Tuesday across Florida's Atlantic coast, taxing firefighters and overwhelming residents trying to save their homes with garden hoses.

Rockledge Fire Dept. firefighters battle a house fire in Malabar, Fla., early Monday morning. The house was destroyed by the brush fires in the area. Wildfires in central Florida have forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes.

(Craig Rubadoux/Florida Today/AP Photo)

Firefighters in the Brevard County town of Palm Bay have spent more than 48 hours battling the state's biggest blaze, which has damaged about 70 homes and scorched 3,500 acres, or about 5 1/2 square miles.

"Everytime I turn around another house is on fire. We don't have enough resources on our own to do a job like this," said Palm Bay spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez.

Officials expressed concern early Tuesday after flare-ups overnight. Flare-ups when humidity is higher can be a bad sign because fire spreads even more quickly during the drier and windier daylight hours, said Palm Bay Assistant Fire Chief Jim Stables.

"It's going to be challenging to get the fire under control," he said.

Wind-whipped wildfires have been burning across Florida's Atlantic coast, advancing through flammable bush and destroying houses.

In Palm Bay, scene of the largest fire, some 70 houses have been damaged and 3,500 acres (1,400 hectares) scorched.

At least four homes were razed in Malabar, just south of Palm Bay. Authorities were reportedly looking into a suspected case of arson there.

Governor Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency, allowing Florida to use federal funds and call on other states for help.

Some residents hosed down roofs in an attempt to protect their homes.

Firefighters spread sand over smouldering ground as they tried to prevent new flare-ups.