Two fires burn in Collier County, with Picayune Strand brush fire growing to 650 acres

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

Firefighters are battling two brush fires in Collier County, with one burning through 650 acres in the Picayune Strand State Forest and another consuming 135 acres in Golden Gate Estates as of Tuesday.

The fire in Picayune Strand State Forest ignited on Monday near Rifle Range Road and quickly grew, with smoke stretching east of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road.

Helicopters flew overhead, dropping water on the flames, which burned close to the Azure at Hacienda Lakes community. Voluntary evacuations were issued for nearby neighborhoods earlier in the day but have since been lifted.

The smell of smoke remains strong on Tuesday morning outside the Azure community at the end of Rattlesnake Hammock Road.

"The smoke is going to linger around for a while," said Jesse Lavender, a mitigation specialist with the Florida Forest Service.

Lavender explained that Monday's storms played a significant role in the fire's rapid spread.

"We had some thunderstorms right in the area that were causing the winds to fluctuate and had some really nasty gusts, which caused that fire to grow pretty quickly," Lavender said.

Rain mixed with the smoke as firefighters worked to contain the flames, which are now 45% contained. The Max Hasse Community Center temporarily served as a safe haven for residents during the fire response on Monday, but has since closed, with no word yet on whether it will reopen.

The smoke remains a major concern, especially for drivers and individuals with breathing issues. Firefighters will stay on-site today to prevent the fire from spreading further.

In Golden Gate Estates, another brush fire is burning off Inez Road and Markley Avenue, just north of I-75. The Florida Forest Service reported that the fire is 90% contained, with approximately 135 acres burned.

The Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, Collier County Sheriff's Office, and Lee County South Strike Team are working to control the fire. Voluntary evacuation orders for this area have also been rescinded.

In April, a brush fire burned more than 1,700 acres in the Picayune Strand State Forest, which led to evacuations being ordered.

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