Collier County brush fires: 8,500-acre spread, 10% contained, evacuations in place

Thousands of acres have burned in Collier County after brush fires ignited and quickly spread Wednesday, damaging or destroying several homes and forcing multiple evacuations.

The two biggest fires merged and are currently at an 8,500-acre spread that was 10% contained as of 7:15 p.m. Thursday, per Florida Forest Service.

Fires are burning on the north and south sides of Alligator Alley, with embers from the north having sparked the fire to the south late Wednesday.

I-75 has reopened from mile marker 101 to mile marker 80 after being closed for about 20 hours.

Submit