Two weeks after a brush fire came dangerously close to homes in the Wilshire Lakes community, neighbors came together Thursday to thank the first responders who kept them safe — with a parade and pizza party.
The 10-acre fire burned through brush just feet from homes in the gated North Naples neighborhood. Thanks to the quick response from North Collier Fire Rescue, Collier County deputies, Florida Forest Service, and other crews, no one was hurt and no homes were damaged.
To show their appreciation, the Wilshire Lakes homeowners association organized the celebration. Dozens of residents lined the streets, waving flags and holding signs of gratitude.
“I baked cookies and stuff, and I thought, I don’t have a sign to hold during the parade,” said Judy Whaley, a Wilshire Lakes resident. “So I decided this was a good sign to show — ‘Hey, you might have seen me on the street, but this is what you did for me.’”
Whaley held up a screenshot from our newscast, taken the day of the fire, showing flames creeping up behind her home.
“Everything’s good. A little smoke, but I’ve got something to clean up, and it’s a blessing. Thank God,” she said.
Another resident, Ed Elsner, also shared his gratitude.
“They’re the people that run to the problem, and everyone else runs away,” Elsner said. “So we have to thank them for that.”
North Collier fire Chief Eloy Ricardo said the kind gesture meant more than words could express.
“Through the hard work of our men and women, we were able to stop this from being a disaster,” Ricardo said. “But my heart is full of different kinds of emotions [...] We're one team, protecting and providing the services to protect our piece of paradise."
Residents say while the fire was scary, it also brought their community closer together.