WINK News goes into the Picayune Strand State Forest as crews work to contain brush fire

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Crews continue working to contain a wildfire in the Picayune Strand State Forest two days after it began.

WINK News went deeper into the forest with the Florida Forest Service to see what firefighters are still facing. Brush continues to burn in parts of the forest, with crews identifying and addressing hot spots throughout the area.

"Tricky thing with these fires is water sources, especially when you've got about 80,000 acres," Jesse Lavender with the Florida Forest Service said.

Lavender shared a photo from the Forest Service's plane showing what the fire looked like on Monday. He says crews have since contained 70% of the fire with no injuries or homes damaged.

Firefighters continue maintaining fire lines using bulldozers to prevent the flames from spreading.

"The bulldozers have been maintaining these, these fire lines. There's no fuel in this area for the fire to come across and go over to that side," Lavender said.

William Panko lives just down the road from the fire. He was not under evacuation orders, but he said it was concerning to see the flames so close to his home.

"We could always rebuild a house, but you can't rebuild a human life," Panko said.

He expressed gratitude for the firefighters working to keep residents safe.

"I consider them literally to be angels because they're here, actually putting their lives in harm's way just to be able to protect the citizens. So, you know, we just offer our prayers for them," Panko said.

Collier County officials say people who were under evacuation orders can now return home.