Fire crews across the Gulf Coast warn that windy and dry conditions create a nightmare scenario for brush fires, one of which sparked up Friday afternoon.
North Fort Myers Fire and the Florida Forest Service contained a brush fire in three hours Friday along U.S. 41 and Littleton Road.
But they are not the only departments fighting brush fires this week.
Engineer Joel Rivas with the Lehigh Fire District has fought plenty of brush fires.
“I would say at least 30 or 40,” he said. “I’ve been here five years, and I'm just one shift.”
He says his department is aggressive in containing fires that could spread quickly.
In just February 2025, there have been 36 brush fires in Lehigh. Firefighters have to be ready at any time.
“Usually, in the afternoon or around 1 p.m., it starts picking up where we get different brush fires,” Rivas said.
Like clockwork, at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Gulf Coast News spotted a brush fire from the tower cams in North Fort Myers near the Shell Factory along U.S. 41.
The Florida Forest Service and North Fort Myers Fire blocked off part of the roadway so their trucks, plows, and tenders could access the wooded area.
Cindy Knight and her husband watched as crews battled the flames near their home.
“This is what we've been watching on TV, and now it's happening right here,” she said. “You see it on TV and think it's not going to happen in your area, but it's scary.”
This fire was a little too close for comfort, showing how dangerous and quickly fires can spread.
Cindy is grateful to those who help protect people by jumping into the flames.
“Thank God for them,” she said.