Collier County brush fire spreads to 60 acres, helicopters battle flames

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.—Crews worked to contain a brush fire burning in Collier County this afternoon.

The fire spread through a wooded area near Quarry Drive and Marble Stone Drive, covering 60 acres by 2:44 p.m., according to the Florida Forestry Service. 

They reported that the fire was 25% contained at that time. 

Multiple agencies collaborated both on the ground and in the air to prevent the fire from spreading further. The Florida Forestry Service deployed several units, including a Huey helicopter from the Collier County Sheriff's Office and a spotting plane. The plane identified hot spots while the helicopter scooped water from nearby lakes and dropped it along the fireline.

Rob Zingale, a Collier County resident who lives one block away, said they first heard the aircraft before seeing it.

"It was loud. It was low. So we took some video from our lanai, and they said, Let's go look. And sure enough, they started landing, like, right in our big open area lake. And so we came with all our neighbors, and it was a good experience. Oh, here's another one. I just hope they get it out and it doesn't spread to, you know, many more acres. Because I know it's dry season, and you've all got to be aware of something like this happening in your neighborhood," said Zingale.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office reported that there were no evacuations or road closures at the time, and no structures were threatened. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.