The Florida Forest Service continues to battle the Lee Williams Road Fire in Collier County. The fire is approximately 6,500 acres and is 30 percent contained.
“Our firefighters worked through the evening to continue the efforts to contain and suppress the fire in Collier County. We’ll continue to work with our partnering agencies, and may we keep these first responders in our prayers,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Lee Williams Road Fire March 8, 2017 Morning Update
Location: Picayune Strand State Forest in Naples, Florida
Acreage: 6,500 approximately
Fire Started: Sunday 3/5/17: 2 pm
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 30%
Weather: Winds are coming out of the East and forecasted to shift out of the South
Night Operations:
Winds died down and relative humidity increased allowing firefighters an opportunity to gain access closer to the wildfire as fire activity decreased. State firefighting bulldozers constructed containment lines up to fifty feet in width paralleling and anchored into I-75.
Long range spotting, up to one-half mile, were anticipated and mitigated by firefighters stationed on the Northside of I-75. One spot fire was detected at the Naples Landfill and quickly contained at one acre. Florida Forest Service’s firefighting bulldozers quickly encircling the wildfire with a dirt containment line which allows the wildfire to burn itself out. State Firefighting bulldozers established firebreaks behind the RV Parks and horse stables while structure firefighters patrolled the perimeter while also protecting structures.
The fire is holding at County Road 951 which allowed for the road closures to be lifted this morning, although intermittent closures may take place throughout the day.
Today:
Tactics today include structural defense and keeping the wildfire south of I-75 and east of County Road 951.
Mandatory Evacuations:
Evacuations were lifted for the Forest Glen community and the Aventine at Naples Apartments.
There are mandatory evacuations for the Club Naples RV Park, Panther Walk RV Park and Horse Stables in the Picayune Strand State Forest including Triple V and M & H Stables. If asked to evacuate your home, be sure to bring your important family documents (birth certificates, wills, insurance policies), valuables and your family disaster supply kit. Your disaster supply kit should contain enough food, water and supplies to sustain your family for at least three days. Do not forget any medications or special items such as a first aid kit.
Shelter:
A shelter has been established at the Golden Gate Community Center at 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, FL.
Road Closures (Due to smoke and poor visibility)
- I-75 is closed mile marker 80 to mile marker 105 (both sides)
- Intermittent road closures on County Road 951 (Collier Boulevard) between Golden Gate and Rattlesnake Hammock may be throughout the day
Resources on Scene
The Florida Forest Service Interagency Management Red Team has arrived this morning to transition command from local resources to allow local responders the ability to focus suppress efforts on new wildfires.
Agencies on Scene:
Florida Forest Service, Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services, West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department, Immokalee Fire Control District, City of Naples Fire-Rescue, Greater Naples Fire District, Marco Island Fire Department, North Collier Fire District, Collier County Emergency Medical Services, Collier County Sheriff, Punta Gorda Fire Department, Big Cypress National Park, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Florida Highway Patrol, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Rukaree Bay National Wildlife Research.
More information and updates are available on the Collier County website, www.colliergov.net. A call center has been established (239) 252-8444.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
