CHARLOTTE COUNTY – Parts of the Suncoast continue to battle spreading wildfires. Officials in the area worry about the potential of more fires popping up in the area.
The Florida Forest Service says more than 5,000 acres have burned in parts of Southwest Florida due to the high winds, humidity, and drought plaguing the area. Firefighters Battle their second wildfire this week in Charlotte County.
Wildfire mitigation specialist Patrick Mahoney says Thursdays fire has been contained, leaving only ashes of the nearly 60 acres it consumed in the Placida Sands neighborhood.
“This fire was really up and running because of the wind, again, it’s very strong out here,” said Mahoney. “And so when it burned in to that area that had been burned back in February [it] reduced the fuels for this fire to be able to chew through.”
Mahoney says the latest fire is one of six they’ve helped extinguish in one week. Surrounding areas like Naples are in their own fight with fires that almost reached the busy lanes of I-75.
He says only two houses had to be evacuated WITH only one home suffered minor damages. He says his team remains on high alert. “Because of the wind and low humidity is what really pushed – this was a wind driven fire,” said Mahoney.
Mahoney says this season has been exceptionally dry for parts of Sarasota and Charlotte County. Adding, he fears more fires might spring up in the upcoming days.
“Until we get some rain, it’s going to smolder in some places but again our biggest concern is going to be the wind,” he said. “So we’ll be back – we’re out her tonight, we’ll be back out here tomorrow.”
Mahoney says The cause of Both fires in the county are still under investigation. We’ll update you with the latest information as soon as it becomes available.
