All Lee County fire departments responded to the scene of a brush fire that covered 15 acres and originally involved at least 100 cars in the rental car overflow area at Southwest Florida International Airport Friday.
The Florida Forest Service confirmed 100% of the fire was contained Saturday. Firefighters remained on scene through Friday to complete containment and remain monitoring the area. The Lee County Port Authority then confirmed more than 3,500 cars were involved.
SEE UPDATE: Fire at RSW destroys over 3,500 rental cars, port authority says
“20 Car Fire” update: 100% contained. #FLForestService #wildfire #LeeCounty
— FFS Caloosahatchee (@FFS_cafc) April 4, 2020
Terminal Access Road is closed for people going to and from the airport. Officials asked people to park at the 7-Eleven and walk to long-term parking where a shuttle would take travelers to the terminal.
RSW also said it was using the employee airport parking lot for travelers and giving bus rides to all travelers so they didn’t miss their flights.
Officials said there were no people in the cars, and the cause of the brush fire is unknown at this time. But investigators believe it’s likely something related to the cars.
There were helicopter units that responded to the fire. And the Florida Forest Service was also on scene.
Fire departments from Collier and Charlotte counties also responded to the large-scale fire.
The fire was visible for miles Friday, and many viewers shared images and video clips from their vantage point of the flames.
“In San Carlos, I saw it from my window,” Jordan Battles said.
“I live in Bonita, so I saw it from Bonita,” Ethan Ortiz said. “Like, I saw the smoke all the way from Bonita.”
Another image below shows smoke from the brush and car fires at RSW airport seen from miles away near Cape Coral Hospital.
