Charlotte County reinstates burn ban after Ranchettes fire destroys 45 acres

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

Charlotte County leaders voted to reinstate a burn ban after the Ranchettes fire east of Punta Gorda destroyed 45 acres of land, leaving behind charred trees, mounds of ash, and the smell of smoke.

"It was a little nerve-wracking. I mean, we saw fire in and out of here, at least five departments and the Blackhawks overhead dropping water," said Tamilynn Rubin, a resident of the Ranchettes neighborhood.

Rubin said she was prepared to evacuate as the fire approached. "I figured I better prepare some things in case I needed to get out quickly. But luckily for us at least, the winds were running easterly and toward the west, and so we didn't have to worry," she said.

The Florida Forest Service confirmed the fire started on the side of the road. Dry conditions and a lack of rain have made open areas like the Ranchettes vulnerable to wildfires.

"What started as about a half-acre here in the ranch grew to 45 acres within a matter of, I want to say, about 30 minutes," said Ashley Turner of Charlotte County Fire.

For Rubin, the experience was unforgettable. "Until you see it coming your way, you know, you don't know how you're going to feel or act or respond," she said.

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