Fire dangers still linger around site of 220-acre brush fire in Charlotte County

Reporter: Erika Jackson
Published: Updated:
Charlotte County Brush Fire. Photo via WINK News

While there are over 200 acres of brush gone in Charlotte County on Tuesday, all the homes are intact thanks to the quick action of first responders.

Two choppers were called in for airdrops to help protect homes while dozens of residents had to evacuate and leave their belongings behind.

Crews restored power to the neighborhood where the fire was so bad— poles were destroyed and about 200 acres burned right off of Gasparilla Road, near Rotonda West.

There are at least four engines that are patrolling Rotonda Sands, keeping watch for hot spots. WINK News saw one spark up in a neighborhood and immediately called 911 emergency services. Breezy conditions spread the fire just blocks from people’s homes on Monday.

Despite hotspots still being observed by crews, it is still a big contrast compared to Monday. The fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. and scorched more than 200 acres within just hours.

Helicopters, along with dozens of fire trucks worked to douse the fire and quickly get it under control. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and some power lines were burned.

All in all, homeowners are thankful it wasn’t much worse.

“I could see the flames going through the tops of the pine trees and I knew this was bad,’ said Rotonda Sands resident, Gary Erickson.

One evacuee said she felt lots of relief when she returned home after the danger was gone.

“I came in that way, and I was able to see my house and I was like so relieved to see my home ….. until you see it you don’t know,” said evacuee Nicole Husz.

Firefighters tell us no homes were lost but some homes may have heat damage on the exterior walls.

Once the fires are completely out and there is no more danger, firefighters said they will try to figure out what started the fire. Right now, everyone is thankful for our first responders, putting their lives on the line to save our community.

“They stayed here and protect my house,” said Lucas Crowe, who lives in Rotonda Sands. “So they risked their lives for my structure.”

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