150-Acre Fire In Myakka State Forest 95% Contained: FL Forest Service

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL — A 150-acre fire in the Myakka State Forest is 95 percent contained Monday morning, Patrick M. Mahoney, the public information officer for the Florida Forest Service, told Patch.

Myakka State Forest consists of more than 8,500 acres of protected wetlands and uplands where Sarasota and Charlotte counties meet, according to FloridaHikes.com.

The fire started Saturday evening after a 10-acre brush fire in Charlotte County’s Gulf Cove neighborhood off DuBarry Avenue jumped into the Myakka State Forest, the Charlotte County Public Safety department shared to its Facebook page.

No homes were damaged in the fire, though two sheds, a boat and some fences were, the county said.

The Englewood Area Fire Control District, Sarasota County Fire Department and North Port Fire Rescue Department helped to battle the blaze.

The Florida Forest Service provided four tractors to help contain the fire and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Air 1 has been dropping water on the flames, the county said.

Fire restrictions in place for the Myakka River District as of Monday morning include no acreage fires allowed and only certified piles can be burned, according to the Florida Forest Service. ACI and citrus spot fires are also permitted.

The Myakka River District includes Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Hardee and Desoto counties.

The Myakka State Forest is about 10 miles southeast of Venice and 7 miles west of Port Charlotte, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Most of the forest falls within North Port’s city limits with access off River Road, just 11 miles south of I-75.

It offers more than 40 trails for hiking, biking and equestrian activities.