Wildfires in Collier County Continue to Burn

Photo courtesy of the Marco Island Fire Rescue Department (www.facebook.com/OfficelMarcoIslandFireRescue).

By Samantha Husted

Due to unruly wildfires and shifting winds, a thick cloud of smoke has once again descended over Marco Island.

The Greater Naples Fire Rescue Department and the Florida Forest Service are currently battling two Collier County wildfires: the Flag Pond Fire and the Greenway Fire. There are seven other fires burning in the county.

The Flag Pond Fire started in the Picayune Strand State Forest and has burned over 1,900 acres. Due to the fire’s extreme nature, a voluntary evacuation notice was issued for Lee Williams Road and Snake Road in Naples. All roads between 52nd Ave SE and Sabal Palm Road are closed. According to Greater Naples, the Florida Forest Service hopes to lift the voluntary evacuation notice later today.

The Greenway Fire began on Wednesday. It has currently burned over 1,600 acres in Naples and is 25 percent contained.

Please be advised that the smoke you are experiencing is the result of seven fires burning off island. These major brush fires will impact Marco Island with varying degrees of smoke over the next few days until they are contained. The smoke conditions on the island depend on the wind direction. There are multiple agencies including Marco Island Fire Rescue personnel who are attempting to extinguish and contain these fires. The fortunate part is that there are no brush fires on the island itself. Everything we are experiencing concerning the smoke is resulting from these fires.Please monitor your local television, radio, and social media for updates.

The Marco Island Fire Rescue Department advised that the heavy smoke conditions are expected to continue for the next few days. In a post to their Facebook page the MIFRD warned individuals with respiratory conditions to take precautions and to stay indoors until conditions improve.

Greater Naples anticipates that the fire will continue in a southeasterly direction. Due to the smoke, they encourage drivers traveling on highway I-75 to use extreme caution.

Fire personnel are currently working to cut firebreaks in Winding Cypress and on 6 L’s Farm in Naples. 13 Wildland Firefighters as well as support personal from Northeast Florida are on their way to assist local crews.

Wildfires in Collier County Continue to Burn

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