Cape Coral brush fire extends about 10 acres, 75% contained, officials say

Firefighters and police were among at least eight agencies dispatched to a call alerting of a brush fire Wednesday afternoon. The 10-acre fire was 75% contained by Thursday morning, Cape Coral Fire said.
Firefighters and police were among at least eight agencies dispatched to a call alerting of a brush fire Wednesday afternoon. The 10-acre fire was 75% contained by Thursday morning, Cape Coral Fire said.

Firefighters and police were among at least eight agencies dispatched to a Cape Coral brush fire Wednesday afternoon with a three-quarter containment by Thursday morning.

Cape Coral firefighters, along with Cape Coral police, the Florida Forest Service, Lehigh Acres Fire Rescue, Tice Fire Rescue, Fort Myers Shores Fire Department, North Fort Myers Fire Rescue and Bayshore Fire Rescue, were dispatched around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The then-8-acre brush fire originated near the intersection of El Dorado Boulevard and Ceitus Parkway, Cape Coral fire officials said.

Smoke from the fire was visible from most of north Cape Coral.

Firefighters and police were among at least eight agencies dispatched to a call alerting of a brush fire Wednesday afternoon. The 10-acre fire was 75% contained by Thursday morning, Cape Coral Fire said.
Firefighters and police were among at least eight agencies dispatched to a call alerting of a brush fire Wednesday afternoon. The 10-acre fire was 75% contained by Thursday morning, Cape Coral Fire said.

Officials say a lawn mower striking a piece of metal near the Lee County Electric Cooperative substation caused a spark that ignited and quickly spread through the dry brush.

Cape Coral fire officials urge extra caution with the current "very dry conditions."

Firefighters and police were among at least eight agencies dispatched to a call alerting of a brush fire Wednesday afternoon. The 10-acre fire was 75% contained by Thursday morning, Cape Coral Fire said.
Firefighters and police were among at least eight agencies dispatched to a call alerting of a brush fire Wednesday afternoon. The 10-acre fire was 75% contained by Thursday morning, Cape Coral Fire said.

"Please use extra caution when using fire pits or grills, when riding ATVs or starting cars parked on grass, and when disposing of smoking materials," Cape Coral Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post.

Around 8 p.m., the fire extended about 10 acres and was approximately 60% contained. Officials say no homes or businesses were threatened. Nearby roadways reopened by 8:40 p.m.

Cape Coral firefighters and the Florida Forest Service worked through the night to battle the brush fire north of Pine Island Road, between Chiquita Boulevard and Burnt Store Road.

As of Thursday morning, the fire is approximately 10 acres and 75% contained.

Cape Coral Fire says access is difficult and fuel load is high because of downed trees from Hurricane Ian.

Florida Forest Service is bringing in additional bulldozers from neighboring counties to assist in cutting a protective line and allow brush trucks access to the fire.

Officials say smoky conditions will likely continue along Pine Island Road throughout Thursday.

The News-Press has reached out to Cape Coral Fire for further comment, but didn't receive a response before publication.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian's destruction fuels brush fire in Cape Coral