COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – A brush fire in Collier County has spread Wednesday to 7,500 acres, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported.
Agriculture officials said the fire is 40 percent contained.
"Our firefighters worked through the evening to continue the efforts to contain and suppress the fire in Collier County. We'll continue to work with our partnering agencies, and may we keep these first responders in our prayers," Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said in a statement.
Alligator Alley remains closed from Exit 105 to mile marker 80 as the fire continues to burn close to the highway. Collier Boulevard reopened Wednesday morning.
Below is a list of detour routes for drivers on Interstate 75:
Eastbound I-75 traffic: Take Exit 105 (Golden Gate Parkway) to US-41(Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto eastbound US-41. Take eastbound US-41 to State Road 29. Turn left onto northbound SR 29. Take northbound SR 29 to I-75. Turn right onto the eastbound I-75 entrance ramp.
Westbound I-75 traffic: Take Exit 80 (State Road 29) north for a northern travel destination. For a southern travel destination (Naples) take SR 29 to US-41 (Tamiami Trail). Turn right onto US-41.
Evacuations have been lifted for the Forest Glen community and the Aventine at Naples Apartments; however, there are still mandatory evacuations for the Club Naples RV Park, Panther Walk RV Park and horse stables in the Picayune Strand State Forest, including Triple V and M&H Stables.
The Golden Gate Community Center at 4701 Golden Gate Parkway in Naples is open as a shelter for evacuees.