Homebuyers rethink plans as fire burns near new Collier County developments

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Construction continues at full speed in new Collier County neighborhoods directly adjacent to the Picayune Strand State Forest fire zone, even as smoke fills the sky above future home sites.

Wooden stakes marking lots for new homes stand in stark contrast to the smoke billowing from the nearby wildfire. WINK News reporter Bridget Bruchalski visited the developments to speak with current residents and prospective buyers about their concerns.

"We can see the fire when we're coming up 41 and, you know, we kept getting closer and closer," said Sarah Miller, who lives in one of the brand-new developments.

"It just kept intensifying all afternoon, you know, the huge plumes of smoke," Miller said.

The fire's proximity to these neighborhoods has prompted some homeowners to reconsider their housing decisions. The current blaze follows a March 2018 fire that burned 2,200 acres near U.S. 41 in the same area.

"I don't know that I'd want to buy a house right back against the forest. You know, I probably want to stay away from there after seeing what I saw last night," Miller said. "You don't really think about it until you actually witness it."

Michelle, a newcomer who moved to Florida two weeks ago, shares similar concerns. She said the reality of the fire didn't register immediately.

"It didn't hit me until maybe the ashes started falling, and you kind of were like, there's a fire," Michelle said.

The sound of helicopters overhead and falling ash helped the new resident piece together the situation.

"I need to do more research as to how often this happens, what they're doing to control it, what the protocol is, and things like that," Michelle said.

Miller said the fire threat caught her family off guard.

"Never imagined we would need to leave our home because of a fire, maybe a hurricane. Never really thought about a fire," Miller said. "So this was a first for us."

Some residents in these communities remain unconcerned about the fire's proximity. They pointed to numerous lakes and bodies of water surrounding the developments that could act as natural barriers if winds shift the fire toward their ho