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Wildfire along NB I-75 in Charlotte County now at 98 acres, 85 percent contained
By WGCU Staff
May 9, 2026 at 5:57 PM EDT
A wildfire of undetermined origin that started burning alongside northbound Interstate 75 Saturday afternoon and evening with smoke and flames visible from the freeway has grown to 98 acres.
By Sunday evening fire officials from the Myakka unit of the Florida Forest Service said the blaze was at 85 percent contained.
The FFS was handling the blaze with at least one helicopter dropping water Saturday. Some smoke could still be seen along the east side of I-75 by mile marker 151 Sunday morning.
Smoke from a 77-acre wildfire in Charlotte County east of the northbound lanes of I-75 could still be seen Sunday evening. (1380x919, AR: 1.501632208922742)
A helicopter drops water on a fire east of I-75 in Charlotte County Saturday night. (634x480, AR: 1.3208333333333333)
(683x596, AR: 1.145973154362416)
There was also a 97-acre fire in Hendry County, called the White Gate Fire, and a nearly 37-acre fire in DeSoto County, called the East Grove County Line Fire, that were both 95 percent contained as of Saturday evening.
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By Sunday evening fire officials from the Myakka unit of the Florida Forest Service said the blaze was at 85 percent contained.
The FFS was handling the blaze with at least one helicopter dropping water Saturday. Some smoke could still be seen along the east side of I-75 by mile marker 151 Sunday morning.
Smoke from a 77-acre wildfire in Charlotte County east of the northbound lanes of I-75 could still be seen Sunday evening. (1380x919, AR: 1.501632208922742)
A helicopter drops water on a fire east of I-75 in Charlotte County Saturday night. (634x480, AR: 1.3208333333333333)
(683x596, AR: 1.145973154362416)
There was also a 97-acre fire in Hendry County, called the White Gate Fire, and a nearly 37-acre fire in DeSoto County, called the East Grove County Line Fire, that were both 95 percent contained as of Saturday evening.
WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.