PUNTA GORDA, Fla. -- Charlotte County firefighters worked overnight into Thursday morning to contain a brush fire that started around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
At one point the fire was so close to I-75, it caused the interstate to be shut down in both directions for about two hours.
The 23-acre fire is now 100% contained, but crews are remaining at the scene to monitor lingering hot spots.
It started just before 6pm Wednesday near Laguna Drive and Chinquapin Drive in the Tropical Gulf Acres community. That's just south of Tucker’s Grade, between U.S. 41 and Interstate 75.
Bulldozers worked under a full moon overnight blazing a fire line. Several homes were threatened but nothing was damaged and no one was hurt.
The biggest challenge for firefighters was getting through a railroad track.
Officials are asking residents to be fire smart, especially right now when we are more prone to wildfires.
The Florida Forest Service’s most recent fire forecast map lists Lee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties at an extreme fire risk. That's the highest possible risk.
Glades and Hendry counties are at very high risks. Collier County is at a moderate risk.
