Firefighters contain 20-acre brush fire on North Tamiami Trail at Littleton Road

Smoke filled the sky in North Fort Myers Tuesday afternoon due to a six-acre brush fire that quickly grew to 20 acres.

According to the Florida Forestry Service, Wednesday, the fire was 100% contained.

Drivers braved through clouds of smoke as flames, and the smell of burning acreage lingered for hours on Tuesday along Tamiami Trail and Littleton Road.

“I couldn’t tell if it was just somebody’s neighborhood trash fire or somebody’s house,” said North Fort Myers resident Max Oaks. “Maybe they’ve caught fire, but it looks a little excessive for just a neighborhood-like cookout. “

North Fort Myers Fire Department crews battled the flames as the Lee County Sheriff’s Office diverted traffic.

All southbound lanes of North Tamiami Trail at Littleton Road were shut down as authorities worked to extinguish the flames.

Neighbors drove on their golf carts to watch all the action.

“It started getting gray and black,” said Oaks, “and I couldn’t tell what was burning out there.”

Onlookers said this area that’s now charred was once where a large homeless population stayed.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where it started,” said North Fort Myers resident Pat. “They just put up gates like those down there at the main entrance, and suddenly, there’s a fire?”

Crews were seen mopping up the area early Tuesday night, and the scene is now clear.

On Tuesday, Charlotte County implemented a temporary burn ban on all outdoor burning, as well as the use of fireworks and sparklers.

Collier, DeSoto and Hendry counties are also under burn bans right now.