A brush fire at Picayune Strand State Park is burning near Naples in Collier County, Florida, on Tuesday, April 14.
The fire was reported on Monday, April 13, at around noon and quickly spread. As of Tuesday morning, 1,500 acres were involved and the fire was 15% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Residents were evacuated from streets near the fire, including portions of Stable Way, Newman Drive, Barton Gilba Drive, Benfield Road and Le Buffs Road, per the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuations were lifted for Forest Glen Community as of 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities urged the following communities to stay on alert and monitor fire developments:
A pet-friendly Safe Haven shelter opened for fire evacuees at the Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway in Naples. A temporary Wildfire Smoke Refuge location with limited refreshments is available for East Naples residents at Collier County’s South Regional Library at 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway from 1-8 p.m. Tuesday, but not for overnight sheltering.
Motorists are urged to use caution on southbound Interstate 75 around mile marker 98 near Naples because of smoke.
Where is Picayune Strand State Forest where Naples brush fire burns?
Picayune Strand State Forest is the fourth-largest state forest in Florida.
The 74,138-acre forest is comprised of two tracts: the South Golden Gates Estates Tract to the east and the Belle Meade Tract to the west.
Picayune fire map Naples, Collier County
Video shows Naples Picayune fire
Picayune fire photos Naples
Naples, Collier County air quality
Kim Luciani is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s Audience team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://naplesnews.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples fire burns 1,500 acres. See Picayune fire map
Reporting by Kim Luciani and Tomas Rodriguez, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
