Fire on Dog Island brings about a multi-agency coordinated effort
STAFF REPORT – Dog Island, a spit of land just off the Boca Grande Causeway, continued to burn as of press time on Thursday, May 20 after a fire started there on the preceding Monday.
According to officials the call came in at approximately 11 a.m. on May 17. Charlotte County Fire responded, as did the Boca Grande Fire Department.
While the definitive source of the fire is not known, it is suspected that the remnants of a campfire combined with high winds that prevailed all week were the culprit. Fire units came by boat and by air in an attempt to quell the flames. Several osprey nests that were in danger have been watched carefully, and at least one family was saved.
Approximately 80 percent of the island has now burned as of press time (May 20), and the Environmental Protection Agency has told firefighters to abate measures to put the fire out, and to let nature take its course.
Fire officials ask that everyone be very careful at this time of year, as we are at high risk for fire right now.
Photos by Susan H
