Friday, June 29, 2007 6:00pm Update
The fire is now 100% contained.

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Friday, June 29, 2007 Noon Update
Crews are making progress in the fight against the largest brush fire in Cape Coral history. The fire in the northwest Cape is now about 99% contained and has burned 2000 acres. Several fire crews are staying ahead of the fire. They also have a line built up around the entire fire.

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Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:30pm
A 2000 acre brush fire continues to burn in northwest Cape Coral. The fire is 70% contained. City officials say it was the largest fire in Cape Coral history.

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Thursday, June 28, 2007 10:20pm
The fire is now 70% contained.

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Fire Update Thursday, June 28, 2007 9:15pm
From Michael Weston, Florida Division of Forestry:
Evacuation was lifted as of 9pm.
Burnt Store Road was reopened at 9pm.
People are being allowed to return to their homes.

The fire stands at 2000 acres. It is difficult to make any additional estimates without daylight. It's 45% contained. This may be updated at 10pm.

More than 110 firefighters responded from 16 fire departments in Lee and Collier counties. In addition 28 division of forestry people worked the fire from three fire districts. Those are Caloosahatchee, Myakka and Okeechobee districts.

50 homes were threatened. There was no structural damage reported.

Currently 10 tractor plows are carving a wide fire line surrounding the fire area. Structure fire engines were sent home. Brush trucks will be released within the hour.

Two single engine planes, two choppers and a forestry fixed wing worked the fire this afternoon. The fixed wing coordinated the air traffic.

Five forestry tractor plows were used with an additional 9 from other agencies.

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Fire Update Thursday, June 28, 2007 9:00pm
All evacuations lifted. Burnt Store Road has reopened.

From Connie Barron, City of Cape Coral: "About 10 minutes of heavy rain helped knock down the fire. We will be sending engines home and keeping brush trucks on scene for a few more hours as needed. Burnt Store Road will reopen at 9pm. Residents are being allowed back in their homes."

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Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:00pm

Cape Coral - 2000 acres burning in northwest Cape Coral near Andalusia and Palmetto. It is from a fire that started Wednesday afternoon by a lightning strike.

The fire is 45% contained.

It started at Andalusia and is moving west. The fire continues to burn east of Burnt Store Road.

Mandatory evacuations for residents of Sanctuary Estates.

Voluntary evacuations for residents near the 2400 block of Burnt Store Road and the areas west of the road.

Burnt Store Road is closed from Kismet north to the Charlotte/Lee County Line. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Old Burnt Store Road is being used as a detour.

If there are any families displaced because of evacuations - parents of summer school students can get their child to any operating bus stop and they will make sure their child gets to school tomorrow, Friday.

The American Red Cross of Lee County opened a shelter 7pm this Thursday evening. The shelter is located at the First Congregational Community Church, 312 Santa Barbara Blvd, in Cape Coral, near the corner of Santa Barbara and Pine Island Rd. Shelter, food and drinks will be provided for families evacuated from the affected areas.