Controlled burns on Colonial Boulevard raise questions during Lee County ban

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Drivers heading toward Lehigh Acres on Colonial Boulevard may have noticed thick smoke rising from a large, hard-to-miss stretch of land near State Road 82. With Lee County currently under a burn ban, some residents have questioned why fires are still visible at the site.

“If you see a fire, the first thing you think is, ‘What the heck is going on over there?’ They should have a fire unit looking at that,” said Matthew Watson of Lehigh Acres.

Another resident, Saniah Seabrook, shared similar concerns.

“Like, where are the firefighters at? They should be around here somewhere doing something about this,” she said.

The countywide burn ban prohibits activities such as campfires, bonfires and burning trash due to heightened fire risk.

However, officials say the fires on Colonial Blvd. are legal and permitted.

A Gulf Coast News viewer reported seeing a contractor working on the large property over the past two days, where multiple large burn piles were visible. Fort Myers Fire Marshal Rick Reynolds confirmed the activity is part of a permitted land-clearing operation.

“They had to clear the land in order to build a project,” Reynolds said. “A professional land-clearing company has been doing the work. They are certified in land burning and have a burning permit from the Division of Forestry.”

According to the City of Fort Myers, several large developments are planned for the site, including apartment complexes. Reynolds said residents may continue to see controlled burns there from time to time as development progresses.

Still, officials stress that the burn ban applies to most residents and unauthorized fires could carry serious consequences.

“People’s property can be damaged by that,” Reynolds said. “And if you do that, you are responsible for that fire and could be fined and held liable for any damages that are done.”

Some residents say they understand the need for development but remain cautious about the risks.

“It’s the most efficient way to get the job done, but there’s risks to anything you do,” Watson said.

“I feel like it could escalate. The fires could get worse, and honestly, it just needs to be taken more seriously by everyone," Seabrook said.

Reynolds said he hopes the visibility of the controlled burns serves as a reminder for the public to take the burn ban seriously. Those without proper permits should not start fires, he said.

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