North Port brush fire causes evacuations, dangerous conditions

NORTH PORT, Fla. (WWSB) - Updated 10:44 pm

Police and fire crews extinguished a brush fire in North Port with high winds causing difficulties. According to City of North Port officials roughly 50 acres burned in four separate fires with wind gusts up to 30 miles an hour.

Units were called to the area of Toledo Blade and Price Boulevard. Smoke could be seen hovering over I-75. The Florida Highway Patrol temporarily closed exit ramps onto Toledo Blade from I-75. Those have since reopened as multiple agencies managed to mostly contain the blaze. A

A helicopter is assisting officers in knocking out the fire.

City officials with North Port evacuated several businesses in the area including:

Imagine School

North Port Gymnastics

Building Blox Daycare

The children were relocated to Suncoast Technical College for pickup by parents.

This was one of six brush fires crews worked to combat in the area. Dry and windy conditions caused issues but fire officials say they have had success keeping the fire contained.

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