CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Tonight the smell of smoke fills the air in Charlotte County as firefighters work to put out hot spots from a wildfire, that burned an estimated 60 acres towards Rotunda West. Charlotte County fire crews say, with it being the dry season, they were prepared.
It was around noon today when crews received a call about a fast-moving that quickly made its way across a wooded area. Todd Dunn with Charlotte County Fire and EMS says the flames are now under control, but their work is far from over.
“What that means is that the fire is contained within the area that it burned, and now we will be going around, and you can see smoldering spots, we’ll be hitting those hotspots through the night and into the next couple of days,” said Todd Dunn, Charlotte County Fire and EMS Public Information Officer.
One homeowner says he walked outside with heavy smoke billowing into the air.
“So I came outside, and you could barely see through the smoke and the trees were on fire, and the smoke was coming, and we saw all the brushes on fire” said Rick Green.
Green says, the smell of the flames was overwhelming.
“I thought I was back in the smokehouses. Honestly, the smoke smelt like burnt hickory the whole time. It was just like being around a smokehouse, you could hardly breathe there for some parts” said Green.
Tim Dixon has lived in the area for over four decades.
“At one point in time there was 5 or 6 fire trucks out here where we are sitting, and I was out here with them every step,” said Tim Dixon.
Over the years Dixon has seen three wildfires raged through his backyard, and says nothing has changed.
“ I don’t know that there is anything different. You know you always have the same thoughts and you know you hope you have the same outcome” said Dixon.
Residents tell Fox 4 they are thankful for the hard work of Charlotte County Fire and EMS. Fire officials say they are urging residents to abide by all the burn bans and restrictions that are in place within Charlotte County.