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A large wildfire known as the Newman Drive Fire is consuming more than 1,500 acres in southwest Florida, near Alligator Alley in Collier County, with active evacuation orders for several residential areas close to Naples, reported CBS 12.
The fire originated in the Picayune Strand State Forest shortly after noon on Monday and spread explosively: it reached 100 acres in just three hours and expanded to 350 acres by the afternoon of that same day.
By Tuesday morning, the fire had already exceeded 1,500 acres and was only 15% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Evacuation orders affect sections of Stable Way, Union Drive, Barton Gliba Drive, Benfield Road, Beck Boulevard, and Le Buff Road.
A temporary shelter for evacuees has been established at the Golden Gate Community Center, located at 4701 Golden Gate Parkway in Naples. It is pet-friendly, and evacuees are encouraged to bring necessary supplies.
Interstate 75 remains open, although traffic cameras at its western end captured massive columns of smoke rising from the tree line, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of drivers, emphasized FOX 12.
Hazy conditions are expected along Collier Boulevard south of I-75, and strong easterly winds will push the smoke towards Naples and surrounding areas.
Firefighters warn that individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or emphysema, as well as those suffering from heart diseases, should stay indoors or keep away from smoke-affected areas to minimize exposure.
The response to the fire is multisectoral: the Collier County Sheriff's Office is combating the fire from the air, while ground teams from the Florida Forest Service and firefighters from Naples and North Collier Fire Rescue are working on the ground.
The Florida Forest Service is transporting additional equipment, including excavators, from the Florida Center, with an expected arrival this Tuesday morning.
So far, no injuries or structural damage have been reported.
The fire occurs in the context of a historical drought affecting nearly 80% of Florida in 2026, the most severe since 2012, with the southwest of the state experiencing the worst conditions since 2001, a situation that experts had pointed out since February as a perfect storm for a dangerous fire season.
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