PALM BAY, Fla. -- Wind-whipped brush fires that have scorched more than 3,000-acres of land in Central Florida have destroyed at least 12 homes, forced officials to evacuate two schools and injured at least three firefighters as Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency.

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Bayside High and Westside Elementary schools in Palm Bay were evacuated Monday afternoon while massive flames were burning nearby. Students were transported to Southwest Middle School. No students were injured.

A helicopter flew overhead, dumping huge buckets of water over the flames and several fire engines were located at the schools. It is not known if the fires near the schools were flare-ups of existing fires or new brush fires.

All Palm Bay public schools will be closed on Tuesday.

At least 51 homes have been damaged or destroyed by fires in Palm Bay, and a voluntary evacuation of about 200 homes located south and east of Bayside High School has been ordered, Martinez said.

Several roads were closed in Brevard County, including Interstate 95 from mile marker 181, the U.S. 192 exit, to mile marker 147, which is state Road 60 in Indian River County. Drivers on U.S. 192 can travel east to state Road A1A or west to the Florida Turnpike, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Drivers on state Road 60 can travel east to state road A1A or west to the turnpike.

Also, three firefighters were injured in Brevard County. One of the firefighters was listed in stable condition. The conditions of the other two were not known.

Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency, allowing Florida to tap federal funds and the National Guard. The declaration also brings local emergency workers under state control and allows Florida to call on other states for help, if necessary. In addition, the mayor of Palm Bay and Brevard County officials have declared states of emergency.

More Homes Threatened

Meantime, brush fires continue to pose a threat to homes in the area of Rocky Point Road in Malabar, Brevard County Fire-Rescue representatives said. The fire has jumped U.S. 1 and is continuing east, prompting the closure of U.S. 1 at Rocky Point Road to Valkaria Road, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.

Other areas threatened by brush fires in the Malabar/Valkaria area were Gradick Drive, Henderson Drive, Greenbrooke Street, and areas between Valley Road and Valkaria Road. The fires have have consumed about 2,300 acres and are still growing, said Orlando Dominguez, chief of EMS and public information officer for BCFR.

Dominguez said there are more than 100 firefighters on the ground and air support also is being provided.

Officials said two new fires, one in Malabar and another in Cocoa flared up Monday afternoon.

Palm Bay police said Monday night that 18 fires were burning and at least nine of them were intentionally set on Sunday.

Wildfires destroyed two homes in Malabar on Sunday, while 30-foot-high flames threatened more than 100 homes in Cocoa during a 250-acre fire, prompting several evacuations. In neighboring Volusia County, more than 1,000 acres were scorched.

"It was just a few little flames and all of the sudden it took off out of nowhere," homeowner Jerry Vitaliano said.

$10,000 Offered For Arsonist

Also Monday, investigators announced a search for the person who set at least nine fires in Palm Bay. A $10,000 reward was offered for information on the arsonist.

Several homes were evacuated Sunday, but residents were allowed back into their homes Monday.

Anyone with information concerning the fires is urged to call the Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

A Red Cross shelter has been opened at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, located at 300 Malabar Road in Palm Bay.

30-Foot Flames Spotted

Meanwhile, in Cocoa, 30-foot-high flames threatened more than 100 homes during a 250-acre fire, prompting several evacuations.

"I got knots in my stomach," fire victim Pam Hales said. "My daughter cooked Mother's Day dinner and we have not been able to eat it. We tried to eat, but nobody could eat."

Daytona Fire 55 Percent Contained

According to the Division of Forestry, an 800-acre brush fire in Daytona Beach was 55 percent contained.

There have been flare-ups on both sides of LPGA Boulevard, inside the LPGA International subdivision and behind the Bayberry Lakes subdivision, officials said.

Fire crews were able to cut additional fire lines around the fire before the weather conditions deteriorated.

Residents who evacuated from the LPGA International subdivision remained evacuated from their homes Monday afternoon. However, residents who need to go back to their homes for medical supplies are being allowed in for a brief amount of time with police escort. Residents need to go to Tomoka Farms Road and LPGA Boulevard and have picture identification.

The Red Cross shelter continued to offer help for evacuees.

The shelter is at the Hampton Inn, 1715 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. The City of Daytona Beach has a hotline for evacuated residents to call for information. The number is 386-671-5347.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.