Wildfire shuts down busy stretch of I-75 in Alligator Alley; evacuations underway

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Four fires are burning in South Florida and causing major problems in several communities and shutting off a vital passage across the state.

Four brush fires are burning across 4000 acres. There is no containment as of midnight Wednesday. Mandatory evacuations were underway from Collier County.

An emergency message from Collier County regarding the Golden Gate Estates brush fire. pic.twitter.com/WCZmTjjVvY
— CollierCountySheriff (@CollierSheriff) May 14, 2020

A 20 mile stretch of I-75 is closed, in a portion known as Alligator Alley. Here’s the impact area.

The area between the two red dots is closed due to several wildfires burning. — The area between the two red dots is closed due to several wildfires burning.(Google Maps)

This is a developing story and we will bring you updates as we get them.

The #22ndAveFire and #36thAveFire remain a combined 4,000 acres and 0 percent contained at this time.

Continue to heed all local warnings and follow @FFS_cafc and @FLForestService for updates. pic.twitter.com/3yz9w5pcju
— FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (@FDACS) May 14, 2020

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