Hot spots cause concern for Cape Coral neighbors

A wildfire that started as an illegal campfire has been fully contained in Cape Coral.

The fire, which covered 36 acres and started on Saturday, was initially fueled by a runaway campfire, an activity currently prohibited under the burn ban in place across all of Southwest Florida.

Firefighters from the Cape Coral Fire Department monitored the area closely after multiple reports of flare ups. CCFD allowed the fire to burn off remaining fuels before extinguishing the hotspots. The use of a brush truck equipped with water tankers helped crews cool the hotspots as they used shovels to turn over the dirt.

The fire jumped Del Prado Boulevard over the weekend, burning trees in a nearby McDonald's parking lot. Neighbors shared concerns over the weekend after watching the fire spread,

"It's funny because she said it smells like a campfire, and I said a natural campfire," a neighbor said. "But it's not natural, someone set it and burned the whole woods up."

Despite the fire being fully contained, small flames and smoke may still be visible across the area for the next week. A fire line containing the fire prevents any further spread of reignited flames. 

It is crucial to remember that most wildfires are preventable by adhering to burn ban restrictions. Currently, campfires, bonfires, and trash burning are not allowed in the city of Cape Coral and every county in Southwest Florida.

The Cape Coral Fire Department will continue to monitor the area to ensure any remaining flames and smoke are extinguished.