Evacuations remain as brush fire expands near major Florida interstate
Evacuations remain in place for areas near I-75 as the fire that began Monday expanded to cover 1,500 acres in Collier County.
NAPLES, Flo. - Evacuations remain in place for areas near I-75 as the fire that began Monday expanded to cover 1,650 acres in Collier County.
On Monday, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said precautionary evacuations were ordered for some Naples area streets, including sections of Stable Way, Union Drive, Barton Gliba Drive, Benfield Road, Beck Boulevard and Le Buff Road.
The Florida Forestry Service and Greater Naples firefighters are working to contain the active brush fire off Newman Drive.
LARGEST WILDFIRE IN NEBRASKA HISTORY SCORCHES OVER 540,000 ACRES AS MULTIPLE OTHERS CONTINUE TO BURN
A total of 1,650 acres have now been burned, with the fire at 40% contained, according to the National Weather Service Miami.
Officials continued efforts to contain the blaze overnight by conducting a 15-acre burnout to reduce its spread, while crews reinforced protective lines around structures.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit is helping to drop buckets of water over the fire.
Residents in the area are being advised to stay on high alert and be prepared in case evacuations expand.
National Weather Service Miami said the fire developed just south of Alligator Alley.
Florida Department of Transportation traffic cameras along I-75 showed smoke billowing from the fire. The Sunshine State is currently in a drought.
The FOX Forecast Center notes that an almost rain-free forecast and very dry soils will continue the risk of fire weather.
Continued easterly winds may push smoke over parts of metro Naples.
Collier County officials said there is a shelter open for anyone who was evacuated as a result of the fire.
A brush fire — coined the National Fire — broke out in the same area this February, burning over 25,000 acres in Big Cyprus National Forest near Naples, according to the National Interagency Wildfire Enterprise.
Stay with FOX Weather as this story continues developing.
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