It feels like you can’t check the news in Southwest Florida these days without seeing another wildfire pop up. Actually, you don’t even need the news; simply step outside, glance at the horizon, and chances are, there’s smoke in the distance or drifting through your neighborhood. The drought is relentless, and wildfires keep springing up left and right.
It’s not just daily updates, it’s hour by hour. This week alone, firefighters raced from one call to the next. There was a fire in Englewood on Morningside Dr. Firefighters responded to another blaze east of Knights Trail, close to Laurel Rd E. Up in North Port, crews dealt with an illegal burn on Simrak St and checked out more fire reports on Pinstar Terrace, Beedla St, and Alwood St, all within minutes of each other. Another unit rolled out to Pan American Blvd and Spring Haven Dr, tracking down smoke and investigating unknown fire sources.
But here’s the good news: most of these fires in Southwest Florida are under control or close to it. As of Thursday morning, June 25, 2026, fire crews contained an 850-acre blaze in the Orange Hammock Ranch area in Sarasota County, a couple more fires covering around 250 acres in the Myakka State Forest, and a 100-acre fire at Walton Ranch, all about 95% contained.
Over in Charlotte County, three wildfires reached the same containment level, and they’ve almost finished an 80-acre fire in DeSoto County. The big one now is the Platt Trap fire in Glades County; it’s 1,100 acres, about half-contained, and crews are still working hard to stop it. Across the region, nearly a dozen other fires, including one by Alico Road in Lee County, are officially out.
The message is, don’t panic, as firefighters are on it. They’re working nonstop. What really gets in the way, though, are folks ignoring burn bans or lighting open pit fires on their property. And with firework season, caution is more important than ever. Find a professional show to watch this year, instead of lighting your own, and avoid starting the next blaze.
Our local firefighters are handling an overwhelming workload. Give them a break and don’t let your backyard become the next headline.
Want to track wildfires in Florida in real time? Click here for the link.
