Evacuations remain as brush fire expands near major Florida interstate
Officials continued efforts to contain the blaze overnight by conducting a 15-acre burnout to reduce its spread, while crews reinforced protective lines around structures.
Watch: Heavy clouds of smoke rise above Naples amid raging wildfire in Collier County
Watch as massive clouds of smoke rise in Collier County, Florida, amid a wildfire that erupted near I-75 on Monday, prompting evacuations. The fire has now burned 1,500 acres and is 15% contained.
NAPLES, Flo. - Evacuations have been lifted for areas near Interstate 75 as the fire that began Monday expanded to cover 1,733 acres in Collier County.
On Monday, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said precautionary evacuations were ordered for some Naples area streets, including sections of Stable Way, Union Drive, Barton Gliba Drive, Benfield Road, Beck Boulevard and Le Buff Road.
(FOX Weather)
The Florida Forestry Service and Greater Naples firefighters are working to contain the active brush fire off Newman Drive.
LARGEST WILDFIRE IN NEBRASKA HISTORY SCORCHES OVER 540,000 ACRES AS MULTIPLE OTHERS CONTINUE TO BURN
A total of 1,733 acres have now been burned, with the fire at 70% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.
See it: Smoke billows over Naples as wildfire burns near I-75, blocking sun
Watch as smoke billows over Naples, Florida, partially blocking out the sun Monday amid a wildfire that broke out near I-75 in Collier County.
Officials are working to contain the blaze by conducting a 15-acre burnout to reduce its spread, while crews reinforced protective lines around structures.
Brush fire burns near I-75 in Collier County, Florida, on April 13, 2026.
(FL DOT / FOX Weather)
The Collier County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit is helping to drop buckets of water over the fire.
![Smoke covers the sun in Naples Florida on Monday, April 13, amid a brush fire that broke out near I-75 in Collier County]()
Image 1 of 2Smoke covers the sun in Naples, Florida on Monday, April 13, amid a brush fire that broke out near I-75 in Collier County (Lance Hendrix via Storyful)
![Smoke covers the sun in Naples Florida on Monday, April 13, amid a brush fire that broke out near I-75 in Collier County]()
Image 2 of 2Smoke covers the sun in Naples, Florida on Monday, April 13, amid a brush fire that broke out near I-75 in Collier County (Lance Hendrix via Storyful)
Residents in the area are being advised to stay on high alert and be prepared in case evacuations occur again.
National Weather Service Miami said the fire developed just south of Alligator Alley.
Brush fire burns near I-75 in Collier County, Florida, on April 13, 2026.
(FL DOT / FOX Weather)
Florida Department of Transportation traffic cameras along I-75 showed smoke billowing from the fire. The Sunshine State is currently in a drought.
The FOX Forecast Center notes that an almost rain-free forecast and very dry soils will continue the risk of fire weather.
Continued easterly winds may push smoke over parts of metro Naples.
Collier County officials said there is a shelter open for anyone who was evacuated as a result of the fire.
A brush fire — coined the National Fire — broke out in the same area this February, burning over 25,000 acres in Big Cyprus National Forest near Naples, according to the National Interagency Wildfire Enterprise.