Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters are building and improving existing containment lines around the fire and providing access for cooperating structure crews. The 14th Ave Fire is currently at 1,500 acres and 20% contained. The perimeter of the fire is 12th Ave SE to the North, Desoto Blvd to the East,16th Ave SE running to 18th Ave SE to Tobias St to the South, and Tobias St to the West.
A structural protection group of cooperating structure fire and Florida Forest Service dozers will monitor hot spots and engage flare ups as they occur. We ask everyone to please stay clear of the area due to the many firefighters and large equipment working to protect persons and property.
Voluntary evacuations are currently in effect through the Collier County Sherriff’s Office. They are from the west side of Desoto Blvd from 12th Ave SE to 16th Ave SE to the canal, from the canal west past Everglades to Woodland Estates Road from 12th Ave SE to 20th Ave SE, and west of Woodland Estates Road to Tobias St from Frangipani Ave to Tobias St.
Air Operations:
A Florida Forest Service helicopter will be assisting with the fire today, along with multiple local cooperating aircraft.
NO DRONES IN THE FIRE ZONE! Do not fly drones near wildfires. Wildland firefighting aircraft are most effective with open airspace. Drones detected in their flight areas require aerial firefighting operations cease until the airspace is cleared. This lost time puts firefighters, residents, and their homes at risk. Please remember, if you fly, we can’t! Flying recreational drones over or near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters and hamper the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Individuals who interfere with wildfire suppression efforts may be subject to civil penalties and criminal prosecution.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FDACS.gov/FLForestService.