Cape Coral fire burns 36 acres, forces evacuations and road closures

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A brush fire in Cape Coral burned 36 acres, leading to evacuations and road closures on Del Prado Blvd on Saturday.

The Florida Forest Service reported that the fire was 95% contained by the afternoon. Northbound lanes of Del Prado Boulevard reopened, but the southbound lanes remained closed. Heavy smoke lingered in the air, particularly on the south side of the road.

"We have Cape Coral brush trucks as well as the North strike team of brush trucks. So we've brought in brush trucks from other agencies. So there are currently eight brush trucks, as well as two Florida Forest Service bulldozers out fighting the fire right now," said Andrea Schuhc of the Cape Coral Fire Department.

The fire began around 11:30 a.m. when a smoke investigation call came in. Winds quickly intensified the blaze, spreading it near the Coral Lakes neighborhood.

Nearby buildings, including a McDonald's and Advent Health ER, were evacuated, but both structures remained unharmed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

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