PALM BAY, Fla. -- A string of suspicious fires have an entire community on alert.

In the last two weeks, seven fires have popped up near Babcock Street in Palm Bay, the same area plagued by arson-set fires that destroyed more than 30 homes in May 2008.

Deborah Romaine said she lived in the area for last year's fires, which burned more than 4,000 acres around Palm Bay.

"Whether it's people camping, or people doing it to do it, I'm afraid of another (fire) again," Romaine said.

There have been 18 fires in the area in the last month, seven of which have been described as suspicious by investigators.

"What we do know is that some of the fires here have been started very close to the road, which indicates a vehicle or ATV stopped and quickly took off," Palm Bay Fire Marshal Mike Couture said.

Residents who live close to the burned areas said they are going to start watching any suspicious activity around their neighborhood, with the goal of trying to prevent another disaster.

"The fire was right there. It was like, what, 50 feet away from the complex? Scary," concerned homeowner Ken Warren said.

The fire marshal said a lot of the fires have to do with dry conditions and high winds, so he is urging everyone to be careful.