South Florida firefighters sent to help fight 8,000-acre Collier County wildfire
Five South Florida fire stations traveled to Collier County Thursday to aid in the battle against a raging 8,000-acre wildfire.
As of Thursday afternoon, the two wildfires along 36th Avenue is only 10 percent contained and is still active over 8,000 acres, the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services said. Thirteen structures have been damaged as firefighters try to put it out.
Two wildfires, one 1,500-acre fire on 22nd Avenue and a 2,500-acre fire on 36th Avenue, broke out Wednesday afternoon in the Golden Gate community in central Collier County. Because of how close the fires are they are considered one. These fires grew to 8,000 acres with the help of high winds and extremely low humidity, the department said.
Collier County requested certain fire units be sent to assist with the large wildfire, said Michael Moser, the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County spokesperson.
Two fire engines from Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue and one engine each from Coral Springs-Parkland, Plantation and Palm Beach County Fire Departments were sent. Along with a strike team leader from the City of West Palm Beach.
The Collier County Sherriff’s Office has been alerting certain neighborhoods that are in high danger areas and telling some to evacuate.
The fire forced the Florida Highway Patrol to briefly shut down a 21-mile stretch of Interstate 75’s Alligator Alley area.
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