An 18-mile stretch of U.S. 1 was closed from Monday afternoon as high winds fanned the fire west toward the Everglades. The fire, in some places, was burning a few feet from U.S. 1. The Florida Division of Forestry estimated the fire would consume 7,000 acres before it would be under control.
Authorities believe that the blaze was started by a campfire.
The fire has destroyed two homes. An outreach team from the American Red Cross is assisting the families who lost their homes. A fire in Charlotte County scorched 1,700 acres of a subdivision, destroying one home and forcing the temporary evacuation of 100 families. Charlotte County authorities were searching for one or more arsonists they believe set the blaze. Statewide, a total of 2,225 wildfires have burned some 172,000 acres this year.