CAPE CORAL – A major roadway in Cape Coral shut down this weekend after a brush fire burned through nearly 40 acres. The fire was sparked by an illegal campfire.
Lee, Charlotte, Collier, and Glades counties have all been under a burn ban due to this year’s record-breaking dry season, meaning fireworks, campfires, and burning trash are prohibited. First responders spent hours near the Yellow Fever Creek Preserve battling the flames.
Businesses and residents expressed shock and fear over the fire. Some businesses closed for half of the day, losing customers on their busiest day of the week, while others had flames dangerously close to their properties.
Andrea Schuch from the Cape Coral Fire Dept. said, “I think it had a lot of impact for people, because when you hear about brush fires, they’re kind of away. You may not see them, you may see some smoke, you may smell some smoke, but you’re not like seeing them at McDonald’s, and you’re like, oh, there’s a fire directly across the street from me at McDonald’s.”
Flames spread for hours Saturday afternoon on one of Cape Coral’s busiest roads, alarming businesses, drivers, and neighbors.
“My daughter called me and woke me up when I was taking my nap, and I got scared,” said a Maria Chevalier, a resident who lives near Kismet Parkway.
Another neighbor said, “We went to the Publix Plaza watched what happened from over there, and then all of these flames started engulfing. Then I just started praying, praying that everyone would be safe, and Jesus please protect these people.”
Firefighters discovered the campfire further into the brush, indicating how far the fire traveled from its initial point of ignition.
Schuch explained, “When firefighters went further into the brush where the fire was, that is where they found the campfire. And so it was pretty you can’t see it from the roadway, and that kind of demonstrates how far that fire traveled, because that initial point of ignition is very great distance from Del Prado, and the fire spread all in that area.”
Although the cause seemed unintentional, Schuch emphasized the importance of adhering to the burn ban.
“If they are repeat offender, if they’re disregarding it, if we’re at their home a number of time, it is a city ordinance that has been implemented with the burn ban, and so Cape PD can get involved, and they could be issued a citation,” said Schuch.
First responders are now focused on keeping the area contained and the community protected.
“For now, the fire is taken care of, so nobody needs to call if they see white smoke or small flames. Now, if a black column of smoke appears, that’s a new fire, and we do need to know about that, but little white, hazy smoke is completely normal for this type of fire and where we are in its process,” Schuch said.
Crews will monitor lightning storms throughout the week that may reignite the flames. Cape Coral Fire Dept. breaks down a list of do’s and don’ts during a burn ban on their .Â