Helicopters battle brush fire south of I-75 near Collier Boulevard

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)— Firefighters are working to contain a brush fire burning just south of Interstate 75 near Collier Boulevard.

The Florida Forest Service is receiving assistance from North Collier Fire, Marco Island, Big Cypress, and Greater Naples Fire. Helicopters and planes have been dumping water from nearby ponds onto the fire while crews work on the ground.

"It's all hands-on deck," said Jesse Lavender of the Florida Forest Service.

Lavender said people need to heed caution in the area because the winds can change quickly.

Elizabeth Radi lives in an apartment at Milano Lakes near the brush fire. She said the fire was not what she expected to find when she came home.

"The whole back end was lit up like an inferno last night. It was pretty scary," Radi said.

Radi said she lives with her senior mother, who is having a hard time with the smoke. She said the smoke comes into the house, and there is no way to escape it right now.

Lavender said 164 homeowners were told to evacuate. Radi was not one of them.

"Rest assured, we're doing everything we can to fight this fire, to protect property and protect people's lives," Lavender said.

Lavender said residents wanting updates on when they can return home should call 311.

WINK News will continue to monitor this brush fire.