By Michael Braun – Fort Myers News-Press

A 15-acre brush fire east of Southwest Florida International Airport was completely contained by late afternoon Sunday with help from several area fire departments.

Around 2:30 p.m. fire officials were investigating a column of smoke rising from airport property. Airport spokeswoman Victoria Moreland said the fire grew to about 15 acres and was 100% contained about by 4:30 p.m.

Officials at the scene off Paul J. Doherty Parkway said no structures in the wooded area affected were involved.  Moreland confirmed that a grouping of fuel tanks nearby was not threatened.

Flight operations remained as normal, she said.

Aid included help from the U.S. Forestry Service, Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue District, Estero Fire Rescue Service and San Carlos Park Fire Protection and Rescue Service. 

Two years ago, a major fire at the airport led the the loss of thousands of rental cars in a field adjacent to the airport.

Forecasters predicted this year would be a busy one as a La Niña pattern is causing dry, hot, breezy conditions. 

Wildfires can cause anything from a small patch of scorched grass to a fire that consumes homes and buildings and forces officials to close roads and even Interstate 75. 

In March, Ryan Mason, with Florida Forestry Service, said Lee County “is by far” the driest county in the state. 

News-Press journalist Chad Gillis contributed to this report.

https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2022/05/15/fire-fort-myers-southwest-florida-international-airport-officials-investigate-smoke-rising-rsw/9787087002/