Smoke from More Than 200 Florida Brush Fires Blankets Southwest Florida

According to several news stations and my own first hand experience several brush fires still raging in Florida today have covered the southern part of the state in smoke. Two of the largest fires are still burning in East Naples and Bonita Springs.

As of 6:30 p.m. eastern standard time Fox 4 News has reported that the fire in East Naples Florida has consumed more than 13,000 acres in the Picayune Strand State Forest. It has been reported that the Division of Forestry has called for voluntary evacuations in the area of Lee Williams Road and Snake Road. The last update stated that only 25% of the fire has been contained. Two houses and one trailer have been destroyed by this massive inferno. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported at this time.

The fire in Bonita Springs was started early Monday morning. The fire was contained in two segments. The first on the south side of Bonita Beach Road. The second fire on the north side of Bonita Beach Road was taken care of over night Monday. Even though these fires were contained fairly quickly, they still managed to burn more than 400 acres. Fire Fighters have also said that even though the fires have been contained, hot spots continue to reignite. Even though the fire has been 100% contained, seven agencies continue to watch and put out potential hot spots. The cause of this fire is still unknown.

The smokes from these massive brush fires have been not only affecting the immediate area of the fires but also surrounding areas north and south of the fires. Several residences in Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres Florida have reported heavy smoke and smell in their neighborhoods. This smoke has prompted many people to call 911 thinking that a brush fire may be close by. Fire Officials are now asking residents to not dial 911 unless they are certain there is a fire to report. Several of these calls have prompted dispatchers to send fire trucks to investigate false alarms. Fire Officials suggest that if the smoke makes it hard for you to breathe to simply stay inside and run the air conditioner. They assure people that the smoke they are seeing is a result of the more than 200 brush fires burning in Florida today. Some of the fires located in Southwest Florida are burning in North Port Charlotte, Bonita Springs, Picayune Strand State Forest, and East Naples.