Naples horse farms evacuate dozens of animals amid spreading wildfire

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—Several neighborhoods near the Picayune Strand State Forest were evacuated Monday evening as first responders battled a fast-moving brush fire, forcing residents and their horses to flee.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office ordered evacuations for multiple areas, including Stable Way, Union Drive, Barton Gliba Drive, Benfield Road, Beck Boulevard, Le Bluff Road and the eastern side of Forest Glenn, including Loblolly Bay Drive.

More than 1,000 acres burned in just hours on Monday afternoon.

Many of the evacuated areas include horse farms and ranches. At least four to five farms in the area house a total of 70 or more horses that needed to be evacuated, according to the owners of Shore Acres Farm, located about 20 miles north of the Picayune Strand State Forest.

Patty Carnes evacuated her horse, Soldado, to Shore Acres Farm, located about 20 miles north of the fire.

"In the horse community, all pull together to get everyone safe and make sure everyone is in a safe place," Carnes said.

She said fires can be more devastating than hurricanes.

Shore Acres Farm owners Mike and Janie Yag opened their property to neighbors in need. They estimate that at least four to five farms in the area are home to 70 or more horses that need evacuation.

"We have to all pull together and take care of those animals, because they can't take care of themselves," Janie Yag said.

"When tragedy strikes, you gotta pull together," Mike Yag said.

Shore Acres Farm continues to provide shelter and supplies to neighboring farms with horses as first responders work to contain the fire.